Andretti continua a credere nell’ingresso in Formula 1 nel 2026!

08:42 Uhr
Andretti plans entry into Formula 2 and Formula 3

In addition to preparations for Formula 1, Andretti also wants to compete in the junior classes below. The Americans want to participate in Formula 2 and Formula 3 as well, building a ladder for the premier class.

“Our goal is to have an F3/F2 team to support the Formula 1 team,” confirms Michael Andretti.

American drivers could be used for this, but not necessarily, he emphasizes. “But it would be a good ladder for American drivers. It will give them a fair chance because Americans are not always treated equally here.”

“Here in our team, they will be treated fairly all the way through the system. Plus, we will be able to truly assess whether the talent is genuine or not.”

“Because often, you don’t know if a father might have paid for 200 days of tests and such to make his child look good! Here, we will know what we have.”

11:00 Uhr
Verstappen does not want to drive in Formula E

For those who don’t want to miss out on motorsport this weekend, they could give Formula E a chance, which is racing in Misano, Italy on Saturday and Sunday.

“I know the series has many critics, but Carlos Sainz is happy that Formula E exists: “I’m just glad this category exists because there are so many talents who, for one reason or another, didn’t make it to Formula 1 but had the talent to be at a similar level to the 20 drivers you see in Formula 1 today,” he says.

“And I have many good friends there whom I have fought against in different categories. It’s just great to see that they have this opportunity. And it’s also good racing,” says the Spaniard.

Max Verstappen also likes that there are “many good drivers” in Formula E. He also has many racing friends there, so he keeps an eye on the series. “It’s always fun to watch,” says the world champion, ruling out his own involvement: “It’s not a series I would like to drive in the future.”

10:34 Uhr
She’s back: The World Championship without Max!

You asked for it, and here it is: Our photo gallery of the World Championship without Max Verstappen. What if the Dutchman were simply ignored in the championship? Would the championship be more exciting?

Currently, it must be said: No! Because the Red Bull driver, with three season wins, holds a 13-point lead over teammate Sergio Perez. If Verstappen weren’t there, Perez would have won three of four races and currently had a 16-point lead over Charles Leclerc.

For Sainz, his retirement in Jeddah would have been even more bitter because the winner in Melbourne would have been 23 points behind in the alternative championship and could have been very close!

Interestingly, without Max, Alpine would be the only team without championship points, as Sauber and Williams would have scored…

Photo gallery: Alternative Formula 1: How the season 2024 would be without Max Verstappen

10:06 Uhr
Montoya: Ralf played with me

Ralf Schumacher and Juan Pablo Montoya were not the best of friends at Williams. In the podcast Beyond the Grid, the Colombian now talks about his relationship with the German and how he annoyed him at the time.

“Ralf was so good,” he says and explains that the German’s speed at the beginning of his Formula 1 career gave him a lot of trouble. “He was so fast. He toyed with me for so long. It was so annoying, it was so tough,” Montoya recalls.

“The things he could do in a lap with a car, that was incredible,” says the Colombian.

More on this and the relationship was written by my colleague Ruben Zimmermann here.

09:44 Uhr
Mourning for former team boss

Formula 1 mourns the loss of Ted Toleman, the founder of the Toleman team, who took his last breath at the age of 86 in the Philippines yesterday.

“I am saddened to hear that Ted Toleman has passed away,” says Formula 1 boss Stefano Domenicali. “He has given so much to Formula 1, and his achievements and legacy will always be part of our history. Our thoughts are with his family and friends during this sad time.”

The Toleman team raced in Formula 1 between 1981 and 1985 and is best known as Ayrton Senna’s first team, with whom he made his debut in 1984 and led to the podium three times.

Other notable drivers for the team were Derek Warwick, Johnny Cecotto, and Pierluigi Martini.

Before the 1986 season, the team was renamed to Benetton and later with Michael Schumacher won two world titles, before becoming the Renault works team, Lotus, and then Renault again. The team is now competing under the name Alpine.

09:21 Uhr
Pictures: The new Andretti factory

By the way, in our gallery, we have some photos of the new Andretti factory in Silverstone, delivered by our colleague Adam Cooper on-site. Feel free to click through!

Photo gallery: First images of the new Andretti Formula 1 factory in Silverstone

09:01 Uhr
Is there even room for Andretti?

In Formula 1, there is no space for Andretti (well, space yes, but no interest), but what about in Formula 2 and Formula 3?

First of all, Stefano Domenicali and the Formula 1 teams have no say in Formula 2 – which is good for Andretti. The series has been run by Bruno Michel for many years, even though the FOM owns the broadcasting rights as in Formula 1. The FIA oversees everything here, and it seems to be favorable for Andretti.

Finding a place in Formula 2 seems possible. Currently, there are eleven teams with 22 drivers in the series, but in the past, there have been more. Until 2015, there were 13 teams and 26 cars, but the series was called GP2 back then. After rebranding as Formula 2, there were only ten teams for several years, and since 2020, there have been eleven.

On the other hand, Formula 3 is currently saturated. Although there are only ten teams, each team uses three cars, so there are 30 cars on the grid. Taking over another team’s slot is theoretically possible.

08:25 Uhr
Andretti still believes in entering Formula 1

Despite the rejection of the Andretti team by Formula 1, Michael Andretti continues to believe in entering – as early as 2026! Work on the project continues, with the opening of the new factory in Silverstone being the next step on Wednesday.

“Formula 1 is the pinnacle of motorsport in the world,” said team founder Michael Andretti at the ceremony on Wednesday in front of the team’s employees.

“We compete in all kinds of racing series, but Formula 1 is the top. That’s why I think it would be immensely important for our brand. And it would complete our goal, which is to be present at every major racing event in the world. And Formula 1 is the icing on the cake,” he said.

“So, it’s a big goal that we have been pursuing for a few years. And I think we are on the right track, we will achieve it. And we are firmly convinced that we will succeed,” Andretti states.

“And I believe we are also building a fantastic team. I think it’s something unique in Formula 1 to build a real F1 team from scratch with great minds. And I think that’s something that could surprise many people when we finally line up on the grid.”

08:11 Uhr
Good morning

It’s Thursday, and the weekend is rapidly approaching. Today is just a regular Thursday, and next week, the traditional media day will return – then for the comeback in China.

But today, we have some information and news for you again – and I’m excited that today’s topic will be about Andretti. Norman Fischer welcomes you here in the ticker.

If you have questions, suggestions, or complaints, you can use our contact form. You can also find us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube, and for questions, our hashtag #FragMST is available. Let’s go!

Here is yesterday’s ticker for reference.