Fast Five: Andretti accuses F1 of prejudice against American Motorsport, Should drivers influence rule-making?, and other big updates

Andretti accuses F1 of prejudice against American motorsport

Michael Andretti believes Formula 1's resistance to his bid for an 11th team is fueled by prejudice against American motorsport. Despite approval from the FIA, commercial negotiations with F1 remain, with CEO Stefano Domenicali expressing skepticism about expanding the grid. Andretti sees the opposition as a perception that Americans lack expertise, describing F1 as "snobbish." Intent on creating a hybrid American-English F1 team, Andretti emphasizes the potential for increased American interest and plans to operate mainly from the UK initially. He believes his team, backed by GM and Cadillac, can bring value to F1 and remains determined even if faced with disappointment.

Click here to read the full article by Michael Lamonato (foxsports.com)

‍

Should drivers influence rule-making?

While the FIA officially establishes the rules for Formula 1, the governance involves complex decision-making processes with advisory boards and committees. Despite having avenues to provide informal input, F1 drivers lack a formal means to influence decisions directly. The Grand Prix Drivers' Association (GPDA) exists to represent their interests but holds little actual power. Drivers, including Sergio Perez and Max Verstappen, express the desire for the GPDA to have more influence in the decision-making process, especially in instances like extreme racing conditions and rule changes. The question arises whether, as the sport grows, formalizing the drivers' voice in regulatory discussions is appropriate for a more comprehensive perspective.

Click here to read the full article by Mat Coch (speedcafe.com)

‍

Ricciardo slams 'lame' rule for Brazil restart laps

Daniel Ricciardo criticized the FIA rules for taking away the excitement from the 2023 Brazilian Grand Prix. Despite a red flag allowing repairs, he and Oscar Piastri were dropped a lap behind due to pit stops during the suspension, a decision Ricciardo finds frustrating and lacking common sense. He argued that if more cars faced similar issues, the rules wouldn't be as stringent, expressing a desire for a more flexible approach to racing.

Click here to read the full article by Matt Kew (motorsport.com)

‍

Drivers take on drawing challeng

Drivers were given tablets and asked to draw a racing-related term to bring out their artistic side. The drawings were then passed on to other drivers for guessing. Max Verstappen and Nico Hulkenberg had a great start, but Lance took a different approach—he chose to write instead of drawing like his colleagues. Click here to watch the video.

‍

Haas' Right of Review complaint rejected by the FIA

After bringing complaints to the FIA regarding track limits violations during the US Grand Prix in October, Hass' claims have been rejected. The decision came after a lengthy hearing, following a decision that was delivered on Wednesday November 8, including a number of teams named in the official accusation. Click here to read the article.