Michael Andretti is ready to acquire a majority stake in Sauber and take over the helm of the Alfa Romeo F1 team, a source has confirmed to GPFans Global.
The 1991 CART IndyCar champion and former F1 driver seems to have finally found his way into the long-awaited sport.
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Andretti Autosport already competes in seven different series, including IndyCar, Formula E and Extreme E, with a move to F1 another series in the arch of a remarkable racing portfolio.
Andretti is currently set to negotiate an 80 percent stake in Islero Investments, a Switzerland-based company founded by Longbow Finance and bought by Sauber from then founder and co-owner Peter Sauber in 2016.
Further talks are planned for the upcoming United States Grand Prix weekend in Austin with the aim of finalizing the deal over the next few weeks.
Alfa Romeo has so far declined to comment on the matter. When asked about the possibility of Andretti changing, team boss Fred Vasseur said: “I can’t say anything because, to be honest, it’s not within my parameters.”
“I am the CEO and team leader and such discussions are not with me, but with the shareholders.
“We have so many rumors and so on, the question has to be asked of the company’s shareholders.”
A spokesman for Andretti Autosport said: “The entry into Formula 1 has interested Michael and the team for some time. We’ve explored many options over the years, but currently there is nothing new to report.
“Our passion is racing in all its forms. Should there be a suitable opportunity to bring the Andretti name back into F1, we would take it.
“But so far this opportunity has not fallen into our laps and we continue to focus on our seven competitive disciplines.”
The proposed acquisition is likely one reason Alfa Romeo has yet to confirm its second driver alongside Valtteri Bottas for 2022.
The post The Andretti name is about to return to F1 with the takeover of Sauber first appeared on monter-une-startup.
