Brown voices support for 'compelling' Andretti-Cadillac bid

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Andretti Global's bid to join the Formula 1 grid in partnership with Cadillac has received some welcome support from McLaren CEO Zac Brown.

Andretti recently announced it has entered into a deal with the General Motors brand to bolster its original case for becoming the 11th team on the Grand Prix grid from 2026.

But despite support from Mohammed Ben Sulayem, president of the sports'g overning body the FIA, Andretti's bid has received a luke-warm response from teams concerned about dilution of their share of prize money.

Read also: Wolff admits Cadillac joining Andretti is 'definitely a positive'

Mercedes in particular has previously appeared opposed to expanding the entry list, while Alpine is believed to be in favour amid rumours that the new team would initially use Renault power units.

McLaren has previously partnered with Andretti in IndyCar, and the team's CEO spoke out in favour of the prospective application.

"The Andretti name has such a rich history in multiple forms of motorsport," Brown told reporters this weekend while attending the first Formula E race of the new season in Mexico City. "They also have great history in motorsport."

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Brown pointed out that McLaren also has a current partnership with General Motors, who supply engines to its IndyCar race team under the Chevrolet brand.

"I think he's put forward a very compelling proposition," Brown said of the case presented by Michael Andretti. "I think it shows the growth of Formula 1.

"We haven't had a new team in a long time, since Haas," he pointed out. "It's just great to see Formula 1 attracting new markets, new teams, new sponsors.

"It's great to see they want to join the sport," he added. "I think he's put together a compelling team.

Andretti's bid to enter F1 will undergo a new 'expression of interest' process currently being laid out by the FIA. Other teams are also believed to be considering submitting an application.

"I'm not close to what the big process is since we're in," Brown acknowledged. "But I know [Andretti]'s working closely with the FIA in Formula 1.

"This tender process hasn't happened in a while, but what he's doing is bringing forward his brand, his reputation, and his partners in making the best presentation possible.

"Then the FIA and Formula 1 will go through the process," he continued. Ben Sulayem and Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali are expected to take key roles in the process.

"I'm just excited that there's this excitement of new teams that want to join F1," Brown said. "I think there are also other entities, as Stefano commented on, that are looking to join.

"I think that talks to the health of the sport," he suggested. "What's great is that the manufacturers coming in talks to the demand and the health of motorsport in general in the moment we're in, which is great.

"Long may it continue!"

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Andrew Lewin

Andrew first became a fan of Formula 1 during the time when Michael Schumacher and Damon Hill were stepping into the limelight after the era of Alain Prost, Nigel Mansell and Aryton Senna. He's been addicted ever since, and has been writing about the sport now for nearly a quarter of a century for a number of online news sites. He's also written professionally about GP2 (now Formula 2), GP3, IndyCar, World Rally Championship, MotoGP and NASCAR. In his other professional life, Andrew is a freelance writer, social media consultant, web developer/programmer, and digital specialist in the fields of accessibility, usability, IA, online communities and public sector procurement. He worked for many years in magazine production at Bauer Media, and for over a decade he was part of the digital media team at the UK government's communications department. Born and raised in Essex, Andrew currently lives and works in south-west London.