Emerson Fittipaldi backs Andretti in bid to enter F1

Emerson Fittipaldi has backed Michael Andretti in his pursuit to enter a Formula 1 team in the near future.

The Andretti name is one that is synonymous with motorsport with Michael’s father Mario an American racing icon, having won the Formula 1 world championship and also enjoyed great success Stateside.

Michael followed in his footsteps to become a racing driver, too, though perhaps didn’t hit the heights of his dad in F1, not that that has deterred him from wanting to get back onto the grid now in a team ownership role.

Indeed, it’s been made clear that Andretti would like to enter a team in F1 but, so far, efforts have been largely quashed with several current team bosses already on the grid suggesting that Andretti would not be able to bring enough clout to warrant a place, compared to a big automotive brand like Porsche or Audi.

Toto Wolff has certainly been vocal in saying that F1 needs to be very picky with who it lets join to have a slice of the pie, but Fittipaldi believes that Andretti, and others, should be given spots on the grid – obviously providing they can afford to do so and will produce quick enough cars.

“My opinion, yes,” the Brazilian said to Vegas Insider when asked if F1 should do more to get Andretti Autosport on the grid.”

“More teams will be great for the fans, great for the drivers, great for TV, it’ll be great for the show.

“I was talking to Michael in July during Formula E. He is very motivated to have a full American team. And that will be great for F1 to have a full American team competing.

“Not just another team, but an American team. Even for the racing fans in America, it’ll be great to have an American driver and an American team. It will create much more interest and following for