Rich Energy CEO Teases Grand Return to F1 as He Reveals True Plans After the Haas Debacle

Currently, there are not a lot of places on the grid. Still, many teams are trying to get into the sport. One of the players that wants a piece of the F1 pie is Rich Energy. Although they entered into the world of F1 as a title sponsor for Haas for 2019, their mid-season withdrawal led to many controversies. The next time we heard from the energy drink brand was in 2021 when CEO William Storey made an announcement stating their possible return, which didn’t really materialize. But now, the brand has an all-new ambition.

The founder of the energy drink brand was recently interviewed by The Racing Pilot, where he spilled the beans on what the company has cooking in the background.

William Storey talks about his plans to own an F1 team

The Racing Pilot wanted to dive deep into the Haas-Rich Energy story. To do so, they talked the CEO William Storey, and that’s when they asked him if he would be returning to Formula One. To this, Storey said, “I would think almost certainly. I think ‘with whom’ is a really interesting question and in what capacity. Because I would like to own a team.” 

Explaining the financials of the sport, he added, “And now to buy a team now is going to cost me three or four times the amount that it would have cost me in 2019. So, rather like trying to buy a house for a million pounds and going back three years later and finding it four or five million pounds, that’s a big, you know, that’s a big pill, and a bitter pill to swallow in a way.” He then gave insight into how the sport has blown up in recent years, bringing in more money than before.

Keeping his hopes alive, Storey stated, “But we’ll see. I mean, you know, say I’ve got some friends who own teams. I think for us, clearly, we need to sort of recalibrate what we’re doing. And I think it’s really important for me to realize and analyze the strengths and weaknesses.” He then spoke about how the sport has become more “corporate” in recent years and stated that he is still looking for a way to get into the sport with a team to his name.

As Storey tries to find a place for Rich Energy on the grid, someone who we know pretty well is also doing the same. The Family in question here is surely Andretti. But judging by the way Formula One Management rejected them, it doesn’t look like it’s going to be easy getting a new team on the grid.

What is the next step for Andretti to enter F1?

Andrettis being turned down with one of the harshest public notes was something that shocked the motorsport world. Although there were no escalations there, the racing veterans are still trying to get his legacy into the sport.

As General Motors, operating under the Cadillac brand name, expressed interest in entering Formula 1 in 2028 as an engine supplier, Andretti is positioned to partner with them at that time.

Despite the setback, Andretti remains actively engaged in preparations for the Formula One venture. He is constructing a new headquarters, slated for completion in mid-2025. The campus, spanning 90 acres, will be located in Fishers, Indiana, not far from the current headquarters where Andretti focuses on the team’s IMSA and IndyCar cars. The original plans for the new headquarters have been adjusted to accommodate the future Formula 1 team.

That being said, many teams want to be a part of the grid, but so far, the main problem is that the FOM believes that there is no space for an 11th team. Considering everything, what are your thoughts on Rich Energy and Andretti making a debut in Formula One?

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