If “it’s true,” says Lawrence Stroll, having the Andretti name back in Formula One would be a “great addition” to the sport.
Michael Andretti’s Andretti Autosport is in talks with Sauber’s owners, Longbow Finance, to buy an 80% stake in the team currently known as Alfa Romeo.
It was expected that an announcement would be made as soon as this weekend’s United States Grand Prix, but no agreement has been reached, with reports claiming that negotiations are still ongoing, but have met a stumbling block.
If Andretti, who was reportedly spotted at Sauber’s Hinwil headquarters, buys the team, he will compete in the World Championship against Stroll, who owns the Aston Martin F1 team.
“Andretti’s a great name,” Stroll said. “I know the family and I think they’d be a great addition to the sport, if it’s true.
“I don’t know much about it other than I heard in the paddock at the last race there was potentially some activity there.
“I think they did a SPAC in the States and said they were going to look to buy something in motorsports. I fully get it, I see the logic.”
The SPAC that Stroll refers to is the acquisition company that Andretti established in order to raise $250 million in an initial public offering.
Stroll believes that it is an ideal time for someone like Andretti to enter Formula One, noting the introduction of the budget cap as a game-changer.
As of this season, the teams are all operating under a $145 million cap, a long way off the $450 million the likes of Mercedes, Ferrari and Red Bull have been spending.
The cap, along with next year’s all-new cars, are intended to level the playing field.
“Everyone is very focused on each of us being profitable,” said Stroll. “And Formula 1 teams, run properly, will be very profitable companies.
“It’s a lot easier to win when you’re outspending the competition. That has now gone…that plays into the sweet spot of this team, who historically did more with less.
“We’ll be able to do more, we’ll be at the peak of the budget cap, we’ll be right up there.”
Andretti’s interest in Sauber has shaken up the race for the final 2022 race seat.
While Guanyu Zhou was supposed to be the leader, Andretti is keen on bringing in IndyCar driver Colton Herta as Valtteri Bottas’ teammate.
Bottas has a multi-year contract with the club and will remain with the team regardless of owner.
The uniforms of Formula One racing drivers are currently available at the following websites for a reasonable price:
