FIA breaks silence after claim most bids to create new F1 team were rejected

23 September 2023 , 12:15

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The FIA invited submissions from prospective new Formula 1 teams earlier this year (Image: HOCH ZWEI/picture-alliance/dpa/AP Images)

The FIA has confirmed that it has rejected "several" proposals for new Formula 1 teams.

The sport's governing body invited prospective new entrants to apply though an Expressions of Interest process earlier this year. And several parties took them up on that offer, hoping to grab a slice of the pie with F1 more globally popular than ever.

A report from Motorsport.com claimed there were four full proposals on the table, and that three of them have been rejected. The one believed to be still in play is from Andretti Global.

Formula 2 teams Hitech Grand Prix and Rodin Carlin also made a bid, as did Asian start-up LKY SUNZ. But those proposals have all reportedly been rejected after the FIA combed through their submissions.

The FIA would not specify who was behind each bid when approached by . But it did confirm that some of those who did apply are now out of the race, and that there are "other submissions" still in play.

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A spokesperson said: "The analysis of submissions from potential new entrants to the FIA Formula 1 world championship has progressed and several candidates have now been informed that their application has not been approved. More information on other submissions will be provided in due course."

Hitech and Rodin Carlin have yet to publicly respond to the report. LKY SUNZ chief executive Benjamin Durand insisted his prospective team is "still in dialogue with the FIA", but refused to give more detail as he is "bound by an NDA".

As for Andretti, it comes as no surprise that the American motorsport giant remains in the running. Not only does it have vast experience in several top motorsport series around the world, but its proposal is further strengthened by its partnership with General Motors through its Cadillac brand.

Plus, FIA president Mohammed ben Sulayem has hinted that he is personally on board with the idea. "How on earth can we refuse GM?" he recently said. "Where's the common sense in this? GM is a heavyweight and, when they come with Andretti, that's good for all of us."

FIA approval, should it come for Andretti, will be no guarantee that it will be able to join the F1 grid, though. Formula 1 itself needs to green light any new entrant and, currently, there is substantial opposition to the idea of an 11th team from the majority of the existing competitors.

Daniel Moxon