Andretti still hopes to return to Formula 1

Michael Andretti has expressed on several occasions his passion for Formula 1 and his desire to return to the category. In 2021, he began talks with Sauber to finalize his return. The negotiations revolved around an ownership transfer agreement between Finn Rausing, who at the time owned the majority of the team's shares, and the Andretti group. Just before closing the contract, everything was cancelled. 

Andretti claimed that the terms of the deal changed at the last minute, while Rausing's side argued that Andretti failed to meet a key requirement that had been established from the start. Informs Motorsports.

Michael Andretti 

Photo: Motorsports

Despite the failed partnership with Sauber, Andretti submitted a proposal to Liberty Media to be included as the eleventh team in Formula 1. However, this was rejected on January 31. One of the reasons for not accepting their request was that dividing the income into eleven parts, instead of ten, was considered financially unsustainable.

With all this, the biggest surprise came when Michael Andretti announced the sale of a large part of his stake in Andretti Global to his partner Dan Towriss. This decision, which represented a step backwards, took everyone by surprise, including the American team itself. This move suggested that Andretti had given up on his attempt to return to the top flight.

"I have made this decision thinking about myself, the team and my family. I will continue to have a role as an advisor to the team, and although I will be less present on the track, my passion for this sport will remain as always. I am happy to to be able to spend more time with my beautiful family, with my ten-year-old twins, and to be able to dedicate more time to my new role as grandfather. Announcement through a statement from the team.

Despite everything, Andretti's factory in the United Kingdom, established as a base of operations for its Formula 1 project, continues to hire staff and publish job offers, a clear sign that the project is still on track. In addition, there are talks with Cadillac to enter the category.

With this panorama, Andretti's biggest challenge is to convince Liberty Media, which has not shown favorable signs towards the project. For its part, the FIA, although it has tried to intervene in favor of Andretti, has not managed to persuade Formula 1.