Andretti name would help 'grow F1 further' in America

McLaren team principal Andreas Seidl believes the addition of the Andretti name to the F1 grid would "grow the sport further" in the United States.

1978 world champion Mario Andretti confirmed that the team has reached a formal agreement with Renault for an engine supply after he broke the news that his son, Michael, has formally applied for an F1 entry from 2024 under the name Andretti Global.

With the sport set to host two Grands Prix in the United States in 2022, adding the Miami Street Circuit to the existing event at the Circuit of the Americas in Texas, Seidl has said the re-introduction of the Andretti name back into F1 would have a positive effect on the sport stateside.

He also stated that a new team on the grid would bring opportunities for young drivers to reach F1, with Colton Herta almost certain to join from Andretti's existing IndyCar operation.

"We definitely would welcome the Andretti team because the Andretti name and a US team would help to grow the sport further in the US," said Seidl.

"I think it would open up more possibilities again to get young drivers in with more teams.

“The earlier we get to 12 teams, for example, which is the maximum we can have, it would just drive the franchise value even higher of us teams.

“So absolutely, we are open for it and we would love to compete with them.”

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