McLaren CEO Zak Brown has slammed Mercedes and Red Bull over their disapproval of the new Andretti Global team for the 2024 F1 season. Team owner Michael Andretti has previously attempted to buy out Haas, Williams, and Alfa Romeo in Formula 1. Big guns Mercedes and Red Bull, however, have not taken too kindly to Andretti’s proposal and have admitted that they would not support the project.

Brown believes that his fellow countryman Andretti can help boost the sport’s success throughout North America. He said, “I think Andretti as a name, as a highly credible racing team, and knowing who his backers are and who he is, they will no doubt help us grow the sport in North America,”

“I think the teams that may not support another team are being short-sighted. Are we trying to grow the sport? Or are we doing what racing teams have a bad tendency to do, which is think about today and not the future?,” the McLaren boss added.

Andretti also revealed that he signed a formal agreement with Renault to supply power units to the team. The 59-year old has lodged an entry to the FIA and is awaiting approval to enter Formula 1.

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Andretti Surprised at Toto Wolff’s Comments

Michael Andretti has admitted he was ‘surprised’ with the reaction from Mercedes and Red Bull in regards to his upcoming plans. He also firmly denied ‘diluting’ the sport with an extra team on the grid. Andretti’s entry would also generate extra revenue for Formula 1 and could widen audience reach.

Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff, earlier, stated that Andretti is a huge name in the motorsport world. However, he believes that the new team needs to be ‘accretive’ and maximize its value. Andretti is certainly a huge acquisition to Formula 1, but only time will tell his stronghold in the paddock.

Will Andretti successfully become a part of Formula 1 in the near future? Will there be a first American driver on the grid for the first time since Alexander Rossi in 2015?

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