Vasseur: American drivers, not teams, will spur F1 growth in US

Ferrari team boss Fred Vasseur believes that a successful American driver on the grid is more important to Formula 1’s long-term success in the US market than an American team.

Formula 1 has been making significant strides in expanding its presence in the United States, with three races – Miami, Austin and Las Vegas – now being held in the country.

The Haas team and Williams charger Logan Sargeant currently fly the American flag in F1, but many believe that the addition of Andretti-Cadillac as an eleventh team on the grid would carry the sport’s recognition to the next level in North America.

Vasseur, however, remains unconvinced that an additional team hailing from the US – even one bearing such a household name as Andretti – is the key to unlocking the US market's full potential.

The Scuderia boss thinks that having a successful and charismatic American driver competing at the highest level would be a more effective catalyst for fan growth and overall interest in the sport.

• Read also: Brown details 'pros and cons' of Andretti F1 entry

“It depends on which team is the 11th,” he said, quoted by Motorsport Italy. “On paper there is always room for an 11th team if the teams receive something from Formula 1.

“We talked about the provenance of the team, but for me it is not the right approach to the matter.

“F1 is successful where there are winning drivers. Currently one of the countries where F1 gets the most attention is the Netherlands because Verstappen is there.

“It’s a question of the nationality of the drivers, not of the teams. Currently we already have an American team, which is Haas, and if we are talking about Andretti, I imagine that he will come with the same approach as Haas.

“If we really want to be successful in the United States, it will be more about having American drivers at the start and being successful, rather than having American teams.”

Andretti’s bid to join the grid remains under consideration by Formula One Management who are evaluating whether the US outfit would add necessary value to the series.

Vasseur isn’t dismissing Andretti’s presence outright. But the Frenchman notes that Formula 1’s foundation has significantly evolved – for the better – since the most recent Concorde Agreement was drawn up several years ago.

“For me, having an 11th team and another manufacturer is fine, why not? But we have to keep in mind that, when we opened the doors to an 11th team four-five years ago, the situation was completely different from the current one,” Vasseur argued.

“Regarding the Concordat Agreement, Ferrari was there, Mercedes was there. Honda was almost out. Renault thought it would continue. It means that there were two manufacturers and one engine supplier who would continue for another 5 years.

“We agreed on an 11th team, but if this team had not reached an agreement with even just one of the 10 teams present in Formula 1 and had wanted to enter as a manufacturer of cars and engines, we would have had to find a solution for the well-being of F1.

“Today we are in a somewhat confusing situation. We have 6 engine suppliers, and some of my colleagues are saying that there are too many because we would like to have two teams for each power unit supplier and we are not in that situation.

“Going back to what was said before, even for the current situation it’s not a question of the team, but of the nationality of the drivers.”

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