Rodin Cars failed F1 bid and knock-on effect for Carlin's future in Formula 2

10 October 2023 , 05:00

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Rodin Cars founder and CEO David Dicker (Image: Rodin Cars)

Rodin Carlin plans to "expand" its single-seater motorsport operation despite the parent company's failed bid to join Formula 1.

New Zealander-based carmaker Rodin Cars was one of several parties which submitted a proposal to the FIA hoping to be given the chance to form a new F1 team. But the application was unsuccessful, with only the bid from Andretti Global approved by the governing body.

But that failure will not affect the company's plans for the Carlin feeder series team, which competes in Formula 2, Formula 3 and the all-female F1 Academy series, among others. In fact, speaking to , CEO David Dicker insists the opposite is true.

"We didn't know that there was going to be an opportunity to apply for the F1 team then, so it didn't have anything to do with it," he said. "For sure [we're committed to the project]. Our plan there is to expand the operation."

Carlin has a rich history of guiding young driving stars and helping them to reach their full potential. F1 champions Sebastian Vettel and Nico Rosberg raced for the outfit in their junior days, while the team also counts the likes of George Russell, Lando Norris and Daniel Ricciardo among its alumni.

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Zane Maloney and Enzo Fittipaldi race for the team in Formula 2 this season. Both are currently members of the Red Bull junior driver programme, though Dicker is under the impression that will not be the case for much longer.

"The support for most of the guys in these junior teams is next to zero, from the information that I have," he said. "They're not going to be supported by Red Bull next year, as far as I know. Let's face it, [Red Bull] already have more good drivers than seats, so what's the point of trying?"

Dicker admitted he was "p****d off" about his F1 bid being rejected as he felt that he had put together "a better bid than Andretti". He felt the existence of the Rodin Carlin feeder programme, a commitment from him to use his own personal wealth to fund the team and a pledge to field a female driver set the application apart from the others.

Regardless, it was just the Andretti bid which got the FIA seal of approval, thanks in part to the deal with General Motors to enter the sport through its Cadillac brand. F1 itself and the existing teams remain, for the most part, against the addition of an 11th team, though Dicker is confident that the grid expansion will happen.

"I don't think there's any chance in a million years that Andretti is not going to get in," he said. "I would pretty much bet everything I own! If the Formula 1 guys turn them down... I just couldn't imagine it."

Daniel Moxon