After weeks of speculation about the US organization looking to F1 opportunities, insiders with a good understanding of the situation say that negotiations with the owners of Alfa Romeo are now at a very advanced stage.
As its owner, former Formula 1 driver Michael Andretti, is keen to add a Grand Prix team to its portfolio, there are suggestions that the takeover could be approved in a few weeks.
It should be understood, however, that Islero Investments, which is the current owner of the Alfa Romeo team, has not yet made a final decision following the takeover of the Swiss team by Swedish investment firm Longbow Finance in 2016.
If the starting shot is fired, Andretti Autosport will expand its current activities to include another series, including IndyCar, Indy Lights, IMSA, Formula E, Supercars Championship and Extreme E.
The Alfa Romeo team did not want to comment on the current situation and team boss Fred Vasseur made it clear at the Turkish Grand Prix that discussions about the ownership of the squad are not something he would be personally involved in.
“I can’t say anything because, to be honest, it’s not within my parameters,” he said. “I’m the CEO and Team Principal and these types of discussions are not with me, but with the shareholders. We have so many rumors and so on that the question has to be put to the company’s shareholders. “
Sources have suggested that due to the move to a new era of rules from 2022, Andretti was drawn to Formula 1 – with more even playing fields between teams and the continued ability to collaborate between manufacturers and customer teams.
Michael Andretti
Photo by: Simon Galloway / Motorsport Images
While Andretti had previously expressed an interest in getting into Formula 1 only if he could drive a customer’s car, the effects of the cost-capping era that Liberty Media helped usher in gave him reason to believe that there are good opportunities now to get in.
Alfa Romeo has close ties with Ferrari and recently renewed a long-term partnership with Alfa Romeo to continue that relationship, which gives the team a good level of security for the next few years.
Also read:
Any deal for Andretti to take over Alfa Romeo would also open the door to IndyCar front-runner Colton Herta to potentially move to F1 for a longer period if he earns enough F1 super license points.
Herta made a very impressive impression on Andretti Autosport this year and signed a long-term contract back in May that will tie him to the team for a while.
However, any move to F1 in 2023 or beyond could also open the door for Andretti’s Indy Lights champion Kyle Kirkwood to join the IndyCar team full-time, with his future currently uncertain.
The post Andretti closes deal to acquire Alfa Romeo F1 team first appeared on monter-une-startup.
