Andretti was refused a 2026 entry by F1 after the FIA had admitted its application on a technical basis.
Ben Sulayem was proponent of expanding F1’s grid of 10 teams, opening up a tender process that only Andretti passed.
“We have a contract, and our contract says we have up to 12 teams,” he told Motorsport.com last year. “So, we are not breaking the rules. We are, on the contrary, fulfilling the rules.”
He also said it was his dream to fill up all 12 slots by adding a manufacturer outfit from the US and from China.
That vision put him at odds with F1 management and owner Liberty Media, who don’t believe Andretti’s entry would be competitive or add significant value to the series as an expansion team.
Speaking to Reuters in Monaco, Ben Sulayem has now changed his stance and advised Michael Andretti to buy an existing outfit rather than persist in his efforts to join as an 11th team.
“I have no doubt FOM and Liberty would love to see other teams as long as they are OEMs,” he said.
“I would advise [Andretti] to go and buy another team, not to come as the 11th team.
Michael Andretti, Owner, Andretti Global
Photo by: Alexander Trienitz
“I feel that some teams need to be refreshed. What is better? To have 11 teams as a number or 10 and they are strong?
“I still
