05 September 2023 , 17:51
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Michael Andretti has rebranded his entire motorsport operation in anticipation of FIA approval for his bid to join the Formula 1 grid.
Andretti Autosport has been involved in racing for three decades under various guises, while Andretti has been personally involved for more than 20 years. Initially beginning in the American CART championship, it later switched to IndyCar in which it has enjoyed four title successes.
While much of the team's earlier efforts were focussed upon the US, the team has since branched out to other market and competes in V8 Supercars in Australia, as well as global championships such as the single-seater Formula E and electric rallycross series Extreme E.
To more accurately reflect its worldwide empire, the company has now been rebranded to Andretti Global. As well as the name change, a new logo will be introduced replacing the shield-style one currently in use.
Andretti said: "I'm proud of what Andretti Autosport has accomplished over the years, and all the memories that have come with so many special moments. Just as proud as I am of our past, I'm equally excited about our future.
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"As we continue to expand and build a global racing institution, our goal is to be engrained in the culture of our fans, teams and partners. This rebrand is a major milestone in our team’s journey, but we are only getting started."
That future he referred to may well include an F1 berth. Andretti has teamed up with American carmaker General Motors through its luxury Cadillac brand to submit a proposal to the FIA, to prove it has the resources and know-how to run an F1 operation.
The FIA is set to make an imminent decision on the proposals submitted by Andretti and half-a-dozen other interested parties. If president Mohammed ben Sulayem's previous comments are anything to go by, the American stands a very good chance of being approved.
But it will still be difficult for him to join the grid, as the FIA's say-so is not enough. F1 itself and all the current teams would have to agree to allow Andretti to join and, as it stands, few of them would be receptive to allowing an 11th team on the grid.
Alpine would likely be open to the Andretti bid, given it has a deal to supply his potential team with engines, while McLaren may also say yes due to CEO Zak Brown's business ties with his fellow American. But convincing the rest will be a tough task, with many of the other bosses vocal about their opposition to a new team.