Michael Andretti, IndyCar team owner, said that although his attempt to purchase the Alfa Romeo team from Sauber was thwarted by “control issues at 11th hour”, he is still determined to pursue his goal of acquiring a Formula One team.
Andretti made his first public comment on the failed attempt. This topic was widely discussed around F1’s Texas stop two weeks ago.
“I would like to end the rumors that the deal was canceled due to financial reasons. This is a lie. Andretti stated that this had nothing to do. “It came down to controlling issues in the last hours of negotiations. This is what ended the deal. It was always my belief that if the deal isn’t right, we won’t do it. And it was. We continue to search for other opportunities.”
He didn’t elaborate on control issues beyond saying it meant “controlling team members.”
Andretti was looking to expand his company into F1 and was currently in negotiations with Sauber (which controls the Alfa Romeo team). He also considered getting IndyCar driver Colton Herta a Texas seat for the first practice session. Reserve F1 drivers are allowed to get on the track.
He confirmed that the 21-year old Californian would have participated in any F1 venture of Andretti Autosport.
He would be the one to lead us in bringing an American driver if we ever do get a team. Andretti stated that he would be the ideal man to do it. We were determined to get him in the seat, as I believe he could become a competent driver in Europe. “I really do.”
Herta raced in Europe for two years before his opportunities ran out. He returned to America ahead of the 2017 season. Six races were won in Indy Lights during his two-year racing career before he was promoted to IndyCar 2019.
Herta won three races this season, a record for him. He is now heading into his fourth season in IndyCar. Andretti stated that he would have promoted Kyle Kirkwood, Indy Lights champion, to Herta’s place if the F1 deal had been completed.
Kirkwood has now been given the option to cancel his contract and is expected to accept the $1.3million scholarship that was awarded to Indy Lights winner A.J. Foyt Racing.
Andretti stated that while we do not currently have a place for Kyle at the moment, it is possible to do so in the future. We’ll be watching him and I hope he gets a full time ride so he can get some experience. Our goal is to have him back in our home one day.
Since September’s IndyCar season, Andretti has had to replace two of his four drivers. Romain Grosjean was hired by Ryan Hunter-Reay to fill Ryan Hunter-Reay’s seat. Devlin DeFrancesco, Lights driver, will replace James Hinchcliffe.
DeFrancesco will be driving the car, which is being fielded with George Steinbrenner IV. DeFrancesco, a 21-year-old Canadian, has been involved in the Andretti development program for two years and is now able to jumpfrog Kirkwood for an IndyCar spot.
Andretti pointed out that DeFrancesco was faster than Kirkwood in a recent test. DeFrancesco stated that his style was more suited to an Indy Lights car than it was an Indy Lights one. Indy Pro 2000 rookie-of-the-year in 2020, and this season he had two podium finishes at Indy Lights.
Andretti stated that Devlin getting the seat had been in the plan since before Kyle was even alive. “It’s not as if we chose Devlin instead of Kyle. Devlin was always going to win.
Andretti said that he would like to find a job for Hinchcliffe, 34 years old, to stay with the organization. Andretti has given the Canadian two driving experiences.
“We love James. Andretti stated that he is a wonderful person. “We hope to somehow keep him in the team.”
