Andretti: 'Michael's exit from his own team is not exactly how it seems'

After it was announced via Andretti Global's press office that Michael Andretti was no longer an owner and had taken a "strategic role" within the company, things remained quiet from Indianapolis, where the team's headquarters are located. The exact reasons behind the unexpected decision were mostly guesswork. GPblog spoke exclusively with Mario Andretti, Michael's father, on Monday. Mario is closely involved with the racing team.

What is the status of the Andretti F1 project?
Mario Andretti: "I think there will be some announcements made on that, but I'm not in a position to deliver anything."

What is the reason for Michael's departure as owner of the team?
"Well, I think you will have to talk to Michael. A lot of things are not exactly the way that it seems, like people are assuming, because no official comments have been made on that. So that's coming. It's not for me to divulge any of that."

There are rumours that Cadillac no longer wanted Michael to be the owner of the team. Isn't that true?
"You’ve got to have them tell you that."

When do you expect to be able to say more?
"I think it's gonna be any time within a month, I would suspect. It’ll be when everything is totally established."

Andretti thinks F1 should allow more teams

The 84-year-old Andretti thinks Formula 1 still needs an 11th or even 12th team. "I really do because you’ve got to think about the practical side of it. I had some conversation with the organisers, with Bobby Epstein [of COTA] for instance. Any organiser would welcome more. Perhaps 11 or 12 teams on the grid because look at the ambition of Formula One now."

"Look at the calendar they have. The team members have no life. With this type of strain, there's always a chance that maybe a team would falter. [Perhaps] all of a sudden you're not going to have 10 teams maybe. But to assure yourself, you can see that the FIA is welcoming that because it's part of the system that 12 teams would be allowed and welcomed as long as there's merit to it. It looks like there are some that want to be. Us being the other one fighting for it. I think it ensures that you're going to have a solid grid in the future."

Renault will step down as an engine supplier after 2025, leaving Mercedes, Ferrari, Red Bull Powertrains/Ford and Audi. On the face of it, F1 could do with a supplier like Cadillac. "Well, here again. Not everybody's really, really, totally healthy. As far as the teams, there are always some things going on that raise questions about the stability of it. I think it's a business decision to be able to even allow at least 11 or 12 teams, I think would be very healthy for Formula One," Mario Andretti said.