Christian Horner Reveals Why He Isn’t Worried About Andretti and US Congress Coming After F1

The story of Michael Andretti’s rejected F1 bid took a wild turn once the US Congress got involved three weeks ago. Jim Jordan, Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, accused the CEOs of F1 and its American owners, Liberty Media, of “anticompetitive conduct” for delaying the American team’s entry into F1 to 2028. Michael’s father, the legendary Mario Andretti, even went to the US Congress in support of this. Though this has caused quite a stir, Red Bull Team Principal Christian Horner remains unconcerned.

Andretti, along with their engine suppliers and automotive giants, Cadillac (General Motors) can only enter F1 in 2028. Months before their official bid, the current 10 teams strongly opposed their entry. It was believed that the 11th team would dilute the prize money share. Eventually, F1’s rejection was met with a strong backlash and the US Congress’ involvement is the sophisticated outcome of the public sentiment.

Combating the political view of the rejection being related to Andretti’s nationality, Christian Horner said, “Look, I mean, we’re US-owned. We have five Fortune 500 companies on our car (as sponsors). I think that this isn’t about anything to do with Andretti being American or anything like that. I think it’s purely down to the business model that is Formula 1.” 

The Red Bull Boss further defended Liberty Media, analyzing their constructive effect on F1. “I remember not so long ago that there would always be two teams at the tail end of the grid needing to be bailed out or being technically insolvent. We finally got into a position where there’s great strength and health in Formula 1 and Liberty has to be congratulated for that because they’ve created a model where even the worst team in Formula 1 probably has a billion-dollar valuation.”

Horner even commended the F1 owner’s efforts to expand the motorsport into the USA. “The approach that they bought by opening the sport and bringing a new fandom and new fans into the sports, they have to be commended on. I was surprised to see that Andretti have gone down this process. But hopefully, if they really want to find a way onto the grid, they will find it.”

While the Andrettis had aimed to find their way into F1 by 2025 or 2026, they will now have to wait at least till 2028 to reenter their bid. However, Horner believes that the easiest way to enter F1’s piranha club would be how Audi has done it.

Christian Horner urges “Great” Andretti to imitate Audi for a smooth F1 entry

Audi is set to enter F1 in 2026. Unlike Andretti, they have acquired the current Sauber team. So instead of having to wait for F1’s approval on elaborate engine plans and more, they have eased their arrival. Christian Horner reckons this would be Andretti’s best bet.

“I think Andretti has great racing heritage,” the Red Bull Boss told the media ahead of the Monaco GP. “Mario is a legend of the sport. And of course, Cadillac, a huge automotive manufacturer from the US. I think Formula 1 has said in 2028, if they were to come with their own engine, they would obviously, I think, review it.”

The Briton elaborated, saying that the American team could acquire a team instead to serve everybody’s interests. “I think that if Andretti were to want to come a little like Audi acquired Sauber, I think to protect the current franchise and stability that we have in the sport, then obviously, their best route to goal is to acquire one of the existing teams.”

Interestingly, Red Bull’s 2026 engine partner Ford, an American company, has echoed Horner as well. They claimed neither Ford nor Haas, another American team, faced any roadblocks on entry. So, it is the choice of entry that is marring Andretti’s F1 hopes, not F1’s conduct.