Andretti’s $600,000,000 Fear Vindicated as F1 Top Dog Signals Upping the Glass Ceiling: “The Situation Is Completely Different”

It’s better to move the glass ceiling northwards rather than a futile attempt to break it. The F1 Boss has signaled the upping of the glass ceiling as F1 teams pressurize the board and the governing body to stop the glass from breaking as Andretti intends to join the grid. However, the signal makes it harder for Andretti as they are slapped with a $600,000,000 figure as F1 tries to protect the team’s interest. What did the F1 boss say and why has the ceiling been raised?

The value of Formula 1 has gone up significantly ever since Liberty Media took over the sport. The Netflix docuseries Drive to Survive also had a major impact, making F1 the fastest-growing sport globally. New teams have previously refrained from entering the sport because of the sheer cost and risk of running operations. However, the new budget cap and the rise in F1 have started attracting the interest of many new teams, and Audi is already joining the sport from 2026 onwards.

The CEO of F1 is concerned with the dilution of sport with many teams showing interest. The F1 authorities only want teams that will add value to the already growing network and not take away from it. As a result, F1 teams have proposed and thought about raising the buy-in from $200,000,000 to $600,000,000 as the value of the sport has increased so much. Stefano Domenicali believes the situations have changed, and it is up to him and other F1 authorities to protect the sport.

According to motorsport.com, Stefano Domenicali said “However, in terms of technical, sporting, and financial stability, evaluation needs to be made to see if a new team will add value to the sport. This payment was made at $200 million just a few years ago. Because at the time, no one expected the value of the sport to increase so much. Today the situation is completely different. Our task is to make sure we protect the sport in the best way possible and see the big picture.”

Read More: FIA Top Dog Stefano Domenicali Jumps to Red Bull & Mercedes’ Defence After Andretti’s Nasty Verbal Attack

Stefano Domenicali’s comments signal that it will be harder for Teams like Andretti Autosports to join F1. Andretti enquired about the buy-in with a declaration of interest and the possibility of joining in 2025. Cadillac has shown interest in becoming an engine supplier and will most likely partner with Andretti. However, Christian Horner has also said his piece with regards to Andretti’s interest compared to the other F1 grid.

Christian Horner worried about smaller team’s value as Andretti applies to join F1

Christian Horner explained how buying a previously owned team has been the way for many teams to enter the sport, giving examples of Red Bull, Mercedes, and Aston Martin. The Red Bull TP has praised Andretti and Cadillac but is worried that newer teams might dilute the value of the smaller teams. And if the value is diminished, who’s going to pay for it?

According to PlanetF1.com, Christian Horner said “There’s absolutely nothing against Andretti, they’re great people and Cadillac is a wonderful brand, but we need to come up with criteria for 2026 that doesn’t diminish the value of, particularly, the smaller teams, and deals with the elephant in the room of who is actually going to pay for it?”

Watch this story: Christian Horner Speaks Up on Possible Audi-Porsche 2026 F1 Partnership – “Would Be Very Easy…”

What do you make of Stefano Domenicali’s comments on raising the entry fee?