|
|
Post by Chris K. Hale on Aug 21, 2021 5:57:36 GMT -8
I am not a fan of the Andretti's , I have have had some off experiences over the years with them both personally and watching them race. Mario was a jerk at Riverside in 84 when I spoke to him at the 6 hour race, he drove a 962 Porsche with AJ Foyt, AJ by surprise was great and we spent a hour or two in the pits with assorted other drivers having quite a good time. Michael has always seemed to be the Heir to that families racing enterprise and as a driver failed massively in F-1 and other forms of racing. As a Team Owner he has been a marginal success but I feel only because of the names ability to attract Money and talent. I dont care for his snotty attitude and arrogance.
That said, like it or not, the news coming from F-1 is Michael is looking to buy a Formula One Team. Everyone seems to look at Haas F-1 as the likely team, but I dont think Gene Haas is going to let go or share his team yet. They have backed off for 2021 not even really building or developing a 2021 contender in favor of an all out New 2022, new rules car, and massive amounts of time and money invested in this attempt to bring the USA to the front in F-1.
That leaves two Teams ripe for a Andretti take over, Alfa Romeo (still run by Sauber) and Williams (now without much in the way of any Williams involvement) , both owned by investment groups at this time and both in dire need of a fresh approach to F-1. The Andretti name would allow them to raise the funds needed and the members of the team to do it, but being run from here by an Andretti doesnt promise much in my book. I guess time will tell what the outcome will be and hope the team they end up with can be successful. Two American Formula One Teams would definitely bring out the US fans, maybe add another race here and really be something to watch. Chris
|
|
|
|
Post by vintagerpm on Aug 21, 2021 10:49:38 GMT -8
Williams ownership is new and I've heard nothing about Alfa wanting to pull the plug (they are the Ferrari B Team, afterall). I think it very likely that Michael could replace Haas. Gene gave the team an ultimatum 2 years ago, and they didn't live up to expectations. I'm surprised he didn't pull out after last season. My theory was that they would become the Uralkali team next year, with the Russian sponsor (father of the Russian driver) taking over. But I could see a co-ownership with Andretti. Either way, I think Gene's gone after this season.
Mike
|
|
|
|
Post by Chris K. Hale on Aug 21, 2021 12:14:27 GMT -8
It was reported that Andretti did make an inquiry, and quietly told no, into Haas but with fresh Russian money and a year of hard work , they plan to move right up the ladder in F-1, they are shooting for Top 5. Haas has more Ferrari support, parts and input than any other team including Alfa Romeo. Alfa would be the more likely team to share with Andretti due to the senior (Mario) Andretti driving for them years back, and I understand he has maintained the relationship. Williams was recently bought by a Investment company so they also are less likely to take on a partner or sell out. The more I read from Europe, and the more I read between the lines, I am not yet convinced it will actually happen. Either way it could be interesting.. Chris
|
|
|
|
Post by Joel_W on Aug 22, 2021 8:04:22 GMT -8
I was never a huge Andretti fan of either Mario or Michael. Just thought that Mario drove way over his head when I use to watch Wide World of Sports and he drove stock cars. usually over the limit. F1, he got lucky as Chapman Lotus 78 was so far advanced in aero and ground effects that almost any F1 driver could have won the World Championship. Mario was good, but I never considered him great in F1. As you said, Michael failed in F1 and blamed it on McLaren. Some how I never bought into that. In his Cart days Little Al jr was my favorite of the two by far. the only Andretti driver I really liked was John Andretti who passed a few years ago.
As for not being a fan of his mega Indy Car Team, the big exception is I'm a huge fan of Herta, and of course I loved his Dad back in the day. Rossi is also on my list, but that's it.
I can't see how he expects to move into F1 and still maintain his Indy Car empire.
joel
|
|
|
|
Post by pnance26 on Sept 12, 2021 15:27:42 GMT -8
There is another fly in the ointment over at Haas and that is the involvement of Nikita Mazepin's father as an investor in Haas Racing. His overt presence is shown by the presence of the Russian flag colors on the front wing of the car and the prominent livery featuring "Uralkali", a large fertilizer firm owned by Dmitri Mazepin. While the sports world banned Russian flags and presence, Mazepin found a way around it by purchasing a racing team and saying "it's just our colors". Haas sold out to a Russian oligarch. He'll not get out of it easily.
|
|
|
|
Post by vintagerpm on Sept 13, 2021 4:15:37 GMT -8
There is another fly in the ointment over at Haas and that is the involvement of Nikita Mazepin's father as an investor in Haas Racing. His overt presence is shown by the presence of the Russian flag colors on the front wing of the car and the prominent livery featuring "Uralkali", a large fertilizer firm owned by Dmitri Mazepin. While the sports world banned Russian flags and presence, Mazepin found a way around it by purchasing a racing team and saying "it's just our colors". Haas sold out to a Russian oligarch. He'll not get out of it easily. The "ban" only applies to Olympic type sports, not auto racing. As for Mazepin, that's what I've been saying all along. I predict the team will be called Uralkali next season. Mike |
|
|
|
Post by Joel_W on Sept 13, 2021 6:05:29 GMT -8
The best thing about Haas racing this year is that they'll keep Williams from being the constant back of the grid. I don't expect them to be any better next year even with their constant statements that they gave up on 2021 to concentrate on 2022 and will be much more competitive. Every team will be ready for 2022 so there's no reason to expect Haas or whatever they will be called next year to be any more competitive.
One thing that they can do to improve for next year is find a way to get rid of Mazepin jr. He has no business being in F1 at that stage of his racing career.
joel
|
|
|
|
Post by vintagerpm on Oct 23, 2021 11:06:37 GMT -8
So, Sauber Alfa Romeo is the target of Andretti, but the deal is on hold. Seems the people who own the company with the majority stake in the team now want more money.
Mike
|
|
|
|
Post by Joel_W on Oct 23, 2021 16:43:19 GMT -8
Mike,
Money won't be an issue with the Andretti's. I can't believe that Herta is willing to give up Indy Car where he has the equipment and talent to win it all several times over, to go with Andretti to F1 and drive a back of the Grid Alpha Romeo/Sauber, so maybe he consistently beats Haas and Williams. Big deal. No one will really care one way or the other. Michael will most likely have a 5 year or so plan to get to being a mid packer at best. By then Herta will have become an also ran, and then try to get back into Indy car after loosing 5 of his best years. Plus lets not forget that Andretti has zero experience nor a experienced team to bring with him, and will have to rely on the talent that Alpha Romeo has working for them which hasn't produced very much.
Maybe the Herta's should talk to all the F1 back of the grid drivers now in Indy Car or testing to be in it. Everyone says that here almost any team is competitive, the exact opposite of F1. Just look at what McLaren has gone through just to get where they are today. Andretti can't and won't make that kind of commitment with all the various teams he owns.
joel
|
|
|
|
Post by Chris K. Hale on Nov 2, 2021 18:58:27 GMT -8
Andretti has withdrawn from buying a F-1 team the main reason.....MONEY! He said at 50 million a payment he couldnt pull it off.... so much for that! Chris
|
|
|
|
Post by pnance26 on Nov 4, 2021 9:21:10 GMT -8
Mike, Money won't be an issue with the Andretti's. I can't believe that Herta is willing to give up Indy Car where he has the equipment and talent to win it all several times over, to go with Andretti to F1 and drive a back of the Grid Alpha Romeo/Sauber, so maybe he consistently beats Haas and Williams. Big deal. No one will really care one way or the other. Michael will most likely have a 5 year or so plan to get to being a mid packer at best. By then Herta will have become an also ran, and then try to get back into Indy car after loosing 5 of his best years. Plus lets not forget that Andretti has zero experience nor a experienced team to bring with him, and will have to rely on the talent that Alpha Romeo has working for them which hasn't produced very much. Maybe the Herta's should talk to all the F1 back of the grid drivers now in Indy Car or testing to be in it. Everyone says that here almost any team is competitive, the exact opposite of F1. Just look at what McLaren has gone through just to get where they are today. Andretti can't and won't make that kind of commitment with all the various teams he owns. joel Even though the discussion is quite dead now with Andretti's withdrawal, Sauber Alfa-Romeo is trying to step up its game with the signing of a top tier driver in Valteri Bottas. This is nothing to sneeze at and look down your nose upon... Bottas is a proven winner but they also had that in Kimi for the last couple of seasons. I am looking forward to see what Bottas can bring to the team. Remember, they have Ferrari engines and Fiat support so this is a team that could improve. I look at the gains made by McLaren this past year and see an interesting season ahead! |
|
|
|
Post by Joel_W on Nov 5, 2021 6:25:53 GMT -8
Patrick,
Having Bottas is a plus for sure, but the car is no where even a front of the mid pack runner as yet. I just can't see them coming close to any of the big boy teams any time soon.
BTW, Michael Andretti finally had a statement about the failed sale of the team. Seems that it came down to the team principle still wanted to have final say in much of what happens including who gets the seats. Michael rightfully said no way, and walked. While his dreams are to be in F1 his racing empire is no where geared to complete in F1 on a level playing field. I think he's involved in 5 or 6 different series as it is now.
joel
|
|
