Some experts speculate that as the value of the F1 championship has increased since the Subscription 2020 of the Concorde Agreement that sets out the rules, the sport may want Andretti Global to pay more than the existing $200 million entry fee.
Asked if he thought this would be reasonable, Mario Andretti said in an interview: “They can ask. I don’t know if it’s legal to go beyond that at this stage. So that’s the debatable situation. I know what’s part of Concorde now. That’s what we’re prepared for… That’s where they want more, but they never specifically told us. Therefore, we need you to tell us clearly what your requirements are. But tell us. Don’t keep us in limbo.”
“I don’t see how we can’t add some interest as an all-American team with the biggest automaker, the Cadillac brand, with us. And increasing the fan base that already exists. I mean, that’s obvious. You know this is positive,” Andretti continued. “So I think we are bringing something of value. It’s a great investment in the sport we love.”
In the US, the fan base has grown rapidly in recent years and this month’s Miami Grand Prix was the highest-rated F1 race on record among American viewers, according to ESPN.
The Senate letter was co-signed by senators from Michigan, as well as Sen. Todd Young, R-Ind., where Andretti Global is based.
“The Andretti-Cadillac team joining Formula 1 would be a win for Michigan’s economy, support good-paying jobs in our state and likely increase Formula 1’s presence across the country,” said Sen. Gary Peters, D-Mich. ., the chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. “We make the best cars in the world, including race cars, so I am concerned that there are efforts going on behind the scenes by our foreign competitors to prevent Americans from participating. We need answers and I will continue this matter to ensure this team has a fair chance.”
Klobuchar said F1’s popularity around the world makes it “a huge marketing advantage” for an American auto brand.
“Being part of this is a marketing stunt,” she said. “And so we don’t want a scam to keep them out of the marketing scam.”
This story originally appeared on NBCNews.com read the full story
