Michael Andretti Applies To The FIA To Field F1 Team For 2024 Season

American auto racing magnate Michael Andretti has filed with the FIA to field a Formula 1 team starting in 2024.

Michael, the son of legendary driver Mario Andretti, has been seeking to land an F1 team for “three of four years” as he said to me at last year’s Grand Prix of Portland, falling just short of acquiring the Alfa Romeo team last year. In a recent interview with me for the launch of Andretti Acquisition Corp. special purpose acquisition company (SPAC), Michael said that the deal fell through just 48 hours from closing after the sides could not agree on who would control the team.

At the time he said of any chances of getting into F1, “If an opportunity presents itself, I’ll jump on it.”

Now those issues would be resolved as he looks to field a whole new team. The news broke through Mario Andretti’s Twitter account.

A spokesperson for Andretti Autosports said that while Michael would not comment at this time, the news from Mario Andretti was accurate.

As Mario Andretti notes, his entry would be under Andretti Global, and “has the resources and checks every box.” In speaking with Michael as part of the SPAC launch, he said that the SPAC would be separate from any F1 interests and that they were exceptionally well-funded. He did not divulge who those partners might be.

One thing is certain, the team will be different than the team fielded by Gene Haas. While Haas is an American motorsports icon, funding has been elusive. He now sees backing from Russian oligarch Dmitry Mazepin. His involvement has been controversial in that his son Nikita races for the team who has been accused of groping a woman’s breasts in an Instagram video. He said he needed to hold himself to a higher standard on social media but later deleted the post.

In speaking with Michael Andretti, he made it clear that his F1 team would be different.

“It will be 100% American,” Michael said to me. “Unlike Haas which is funded by a Russian.”

Rumors have circulated that Colton Herta would be the driver to make the jump from IndyCar to F1 should Andretti land a team. Andretti Global is awaiting word from the FIA, but should they be granted the opportunity to join F1, the 2024 date makes the possibility of Herta under contract a bit easier. If a team was purchased for the 2022 season, the question of moving Herta over now would potentially impede his chances of an IndyCar championship as he continues to mature. With the potential 2024 start for the F1 team, it gives Herta the seat time in IndyCar to chase that championship and opens the door for the Formula One team.