‘Buy an existing team’

After an 11th team entry bid that was rejected by Formula One’s owners, Andretti Cadillac should buy an existing team instead, according to the head of the motorsport’s governing body.

FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem, who last year called for more teams and fewer races, said that he remained supportive of increasing the number but that quality was more important than quantity.

“I have no doubt FOM (Formula One Management) and (commercial rights holders) Liberty (Media) would love to see other teams as long as they are OEMs (car manufacturers),” he said.

“I would advise them (Andretti Cadillac) to go and buy another team, not to come as the 11th team.

“I feel that some teams need to be refreshed. What is better? To have 11 teams as a number or 10 and they are strong? I still believe we should have more teams but not any teams. The right teams.

“It’s not about the number, it’s about the quality.”

US-based Andretti Global is led by 1991 CART champion Michael Andretti, son of 1978 F1 world champion and 1969 Indianapolis 500 winner Mario.