Bobby Epstein, promoter of the American Grand Prix and chairman of the COTA circuit, wants a new Andretti Cadillac team to appear in Formula 1, but does not think this will in any way undermine public interest in the race Austin will affect.
Andretti’s application to the FIA has been reviewed and approved at federation level, but the next step in the process is to discuss all commercial matters with Formula One Management (FOM). At the same time, Formula 1 management will likely be interested not only in the opinions of the championship teams, but also in contact with race promoters.
When Epstein was asked whether the emergence of an eleventh team, and an American team, could somehow affect the popularity of the US Grand Prix, he replied: “It won’t change much. I’m interested in anything that helps sell tickets, and if the American team wins races, it will certainly help sell more tickets.
But in any case I hope that this team will appear, because Mario Andretti has always treated us very well and has become a very good friend of our circuit. Therefore, on a personal level, I hope that this project will be implemented, but it is not a fact that it will impact our company in any way.”
In an interview with Racer, Epstein emphasized that the Austin circuit has no business need for the hypothetical appearance of another American team: “No, we don’t need it. If an American racer shows up and starts winning, that would be great! Otherwise, nothing will change for us at all, but if there is a team like that, it’s just not bad.”
Michael and Mario Andretti are expected to visit the COTA paddock during the US Grand Prix, but according to Racer no negotiations with FOM are planned this weekend.
Source: F1 News
I am Christopher Clyde, an experienced journalist and content writer with a passion for sports. I have been writing about Formula 1 news for the past five years and am currently employed as an author at athletistic.com, one of the top sports websites in the US.
