Mario Andretti and son still pursuing goal of entering a Formula 1 team in 2024

According to American open-wheel legend Michael Andretti, the Andretti family remains determined to claim the 11th Formula 1 grid spot.

Having formally submitted their intentions for creating a new team in February of this year, the Andretti Group have found life anything but easy going since then.

The reaction to their bid was lukewarm in the paddock, with many of the current team principals suggesting that an 11th team would only harm their profits.

Even those at the top of the sport were not overly welcoming of the idea, with F1 president Stefano Domenicali saying he did not believe the sport needed any new teams.

A few allies

McLaren's Zak Brown has proven to be one of the few Andretti allies in the paddock, but despite this, the family has been pushing forward with their plans.

Mario Andretti told PlanetF1 in September that they were working as if they had already been given the go-ahead for 2024, and now his son Michael has reiterated that the wheels are still in motion.

"Yeah, we're still moving forward," Michael said, as reported by The Race.

"We're still working hard. I think we made pretty good progress in the last couple of months, and we're not giving up."

Andretti has also announced a new factory is to be constructed in Fishers, Indiana, which will house their current racing teams as well as "future racing initiatives" under the same roof.

The 575 000 square-foot factory is set to cost $200m [£170m] with a target to be operational by 2025.

Disrespecting the family

Despite their willingness to proceed with their plans, there is a growing sense of frustration within the family. Mario Andretti told the media he felt as if there had been some "disrespect" aimed at the family.

"Honestly, [the reception] has been extremely