It gives them the rare chance to feel sophisticated and cosmopolitan while showing the rest of us just how xenophobic and provincial they are. Something for everybody.
I wonder what my late father would have thought of this. We were going to F1 races in Watkins Glen and Connecticut when we were kids back in the late 50s/60s. He really liked Mario Andrietti, but he liked the British racers more.
The Andretti's are so off base with this little stunt, and it's evident that congresspeople know absolutely NOTHING about Formula 1. It's not a series anyone can enter willy-nilly, no matter how much money they throw at it (though money certainly helps). The FIA chief has it right; if they want in, buy a struggling team and build it up. However, as with any MLS, approvals are required. You don't demand that the NFL approve a team franchise just because you want one. There are so many considerations. F1 has zero obligation to accept any aspirant, no matter who they are.
It's worth noting that Michael's brief stint in F1 as a driver was a complete fizzle, and he was rightly and widely criticized for his jet setting to race weekends from the US, rather than doing what all other drivers do during the season, which is work closely with and travel with their teams, which means moving to Europe, because that's where they are all based. Moreover, if Andretti Cadillac were to enter a team and do poorly, it would not be particularly edifying for the Cadillac brand, nor for Andretti. Tons of money and RD sunk into a failing racing venture - especially at the pinnacle of the sport - would be something of a disaster.
Sounds like someone in F1 really hates Andretti (who knows why) and Andretti went crying to whoever would listen (and one assumes who he donated to). Meanwhile, given Andretti's team performance in IndyCar I don't blame F1 for saying no. They already have enough mid and bottom pack cars on the track and clearly do not need another American team to juice interest in the sport.
I for one am relieved that Congress finally is taking l’Affaire Andretti seriously! Investigative CoDels to the races in Spain and Singapore, natch. And then, just weeks before the election— o, the inanity!— Ultimate Cowboy Racer Cosplay at USGP in Austin.
"Then, for some reason, Congress got involved. Rep. John James (R-Mich.) sent a letter to owners of Formula One demanding answers to why Andretti can’t have his team in F1. He also held a press conference on Capitol Hill alongside Andretti to give the issue some extra visibility with the media."
IMO, there are three reasons for Congress' involvement:
1. Despite claims of belief in open businesses run under the flag of Capitalism and not under governmental decrees, RINOs -- and many Dems -- just can't let businesses operate without an offering of "governmental insight." In today's world the free marketplace is ever shrinking under the pressure of federal (state and local, too) intrusionary oversight, our government has gotten into deciding who are winners and who are losers. Don't get me wrong, a completely free market is an unattainable goal, and there will always be a need for *some* interference by lawmakers, but they need to understand that their positions need to be, at the minimum, much more hands off than we are currently witnessing.
2. Today's Congress (on both sides of the aisle, though more predominant in the New GOP) cannot function without taking at least some small part in political theater. Our "leaders" are leaning into "listen to what we say, and ignore what we do or don't do." The fear of any potential blowback to policy decisions have most of them paralyzed, leading to a good number of them who can do nothing more than act as if they are real legislators.
3. Our elected officials seem to believe that no international organization, sporting or otherwise, can function properly unless Americans are involved. How can a global company hope to succeed without American savvy and skills?
-----
"Andretti revealed a tense conversation between himself and Liberty Media CEO Greg Maffei during the Miami Grand Prix just a couple weeks prior. (Liberty is the owner of F1.) According to Andretti, Maffei told him:
"Mario, I want to tell you that I will do everything in my power to see that Michael never enters Formula 1.""
Mr Andretti, where there any witnesses to this conversation? The CEO of a company as large as Liberty is not very likely to make threats in public, and without corroboration this is nothing more than "he said... he said."
Besides, what makes Mr Andretti believe that F1 should change their policies to accommodate him? The policy is ten teams with two cars each; any changes must come from the stakeholders and not some outside wannabe who wants in on the action.
-----
"I would advise [Andretti-Cadillac] to go and buy another team, not to come as the eleventh team. I feel that some teams need to be refreshed. What is better? To have eleven teams as a number or ten and they are strong? I still believe we should have more teams but not any teams. The right teams."
I agree with Mohammed Ben Sulayem:
If Mario is so hot on being allowed into F1, he should consider making an offer that can't be refused to another team owner. Buy a team that needs strengthening, and do it. With his demands to be admitted to the F1 circuit Mr Andretti is contributing to the (mistaken) stereotype of a pouting American stamping his foot and insisting that things be done his way. And Mr Ben Sulayem is also correct in insisting that the "right" teams are what makes up F1. Allowing any team in because they think they are qualified is like a UFL team that hasn't broken .500 in their entire existence demanding a place in the NFL because they, too, are professional football players who think that they are worthy.
(BTW, why am I not the least bit surprised that Jim Jordan inserted himself into the middle of this "controversy?" He's failed at impeaching Pres Biden and smearing his family for the benefit of Trump [sic], he's failed at impugning the character of a bunch of Dems for no other reason that they aren't RINOs and pseudo-conservatives like him, and he has not championed a single piece of legislation that would be of benefit to all Americans -- and not just the denizens of the MAGAverse -- so why not take up yet another losing cause.)
What’s in Andretti’s, Barra’s, or Reuss’s record to support the assumption they could do that? They could screw up a 2-car funeral, and they’re going to fix an F1 team. Color me skeptical.
I bow to your superior knowledge [no sarc intended] since I don't follow F1. My comment was how this mildly informed layperson read the segment. I'll fess up here, basically all I do know is the name: Mario Andretti, and what I gather when I turn on coverage of a race -- which isn't very often.
Sorry if I seemed to bark at you. Meant to cackle at GMdretti. They’ve nothing to offer F1 and everyone knows it. So Mike runs to Mario runs to Mary runs to Gym.
Between JVL's wrasslin' posts and Joe's blurbs about skateboarding, I am glad that there is a small sliver of The Bulwark that feels like it's created just for me.
All MLS are (as pointed out) cartels. There are usually steep barriers to entry, usually including some form of approval by members/owners of the league (who are usually reluctant to add more teams, potentially diluting their market and profit).
If Congress is going to go after F1 (because they are conveniently foreign) they should be going after all the other MLS as well.
But, as pointed out, you can score points for election by lambasting the evil foreigners, even if nothing comes of it.
Andretti are getting hosed by F1 which is a total cartel btw. I suspect they will be allowed entry once the new Concorde agreement (rules) are signed which will let a new team in if they pay $600m up from the current $100m.
It's BS but it's all about money at the end of the day.
All MLS are cartels, if you want to call them that. It's monstrously difficult to compete successfully in F1, and F1 has no obligation to let anyone who wants to enter a team, and no more than any sports league has an obligation to award a team franchise to whomever. There are huge hurdles and barriers to entry, and for good reason. In any event, Michael Andretti's brief turn as an F1 driver was pathetic. Why would his entry as a team owner be any different?
Andretti have success in every other discipline they have raced in and every sports league year care to name understands the importance of expansion and freshening things up.
It would make more sense if you had 10 competition teams but Red Bull are literally running a junior team alongside the main one that would never be allowed to win a title regardless.
I'm from the more is more school and if they've got the money, let them in.
Mario was a successful F1 driver, along with stocks and Indycar. Michael was successful as an Indycar driver, and the Andretti team as been competitive in Indycar. That doesn't mean they would be in F1. But as the FIA boss said, buy a struggling team and rebuild it. That's been done numerous times - with varying success. But it is the most expedient route. Once they own it, they can remake it as they wish, within the rules, of course, the boundaries of which get pushed by every team, but that's racing.
Right now, Red Bull is dominant. Wasn't that long ago that it was all Mercedes. And then there's Ferrari, which are ascendant once again. Not to mention all the other notable teams over the years, such as McLaren, Williams, Aston Martin, and there is a US-owned team on the grid - Haas, currently using Ferrari engines. Ford is coming back as an engine supplier next year. Expect some changes. And with Hamilton moving to Ferrari next season, it's probable Red Bull's dominance will wane.
As a fellow skater from the 90’s, thank you Joe Perticone for letting me know about Love Park getting rebuilt. That warms my heart. Good things happening in world. Who knew?
“Capitol Hill is an exceptionally weird place.”
Understatement of the year.
F1 - this is a priority issue for our elected representatives? smh
It gives them the rare chance to feel sophisticated and cosmopolitan while showing the rest of us just how xenophobic and provincial they are. Something for everybody.
I wonder what my late father would have thought of this. We were going to F1 races in Watkins Glen and Connecticut when we were kids back in the late 50s/60s. He really liked Mario Andrietti, but he liked the British racers more.
The Andretti's are so off base with this little stunt, and it's evident that congresspeople know absolutely NOTHING about Formula 1. It's not a series anyone can enter willy-nilly, no matter how much money they throw at it (though money certainly helps). The FIA chief has it right; if they want in, buy a struggling team and build it up. However, as with any MLS, approvals are required. You don't demand that the NFL approve a team franchise just because you want one. There are so many considerations. F1 has zero obligation to accept any aspirant, no matter who they are.
It's worth noting that Michael's brief stint in F1 as a driver was a complete fizzle, and he was rightly and widely criticized for his jet setting to race weekends from the US, rather than doing what all other drivers do during the season, which is work closely with and travel with their teams, which means moving to Europe, because that's where they are all based. Moreover, if Andretti Cadillac were to enter a team and do poorly, it would not be particularly edifying for the Cadillac brand, nor for Andretti. Tons of money and RD sunk into a failing racing venture - especially at the pinnacle of the sport - would be something of a disaster.
On another note, the lost hairpiece was amusing.
Sounds like someone in F1 really hates Andretti (who knows why) and Andretti went crying to whoever would listen (and one assumes who he donated to). Meanwhile, given Andretti's team performance in IndyCar I don't blame F1 for saying no. They already have enough mid and bottom pack cars on the track and clearly do not need another American team to juice interest in the sport.
Why Cadillac would want to be involved is also a mystery. It's not great to be a loser in the pinnacle series of motorsport.
Skate parks can’t replicate the thrill of climbing a tree to get into the 2nd floor of a 5 floor parking garage
I for one am relieved that Congress finally is taking l’Affaire Andretti seriously! Investigative CoDels to the races in Spain and Singapore, natch. And then, just weeks before the election— o, the inanity!— Ultimate Cowboy Racer Cosplay at USGP in Austin.
Lie back, and think of England.
Thanks for the chuckle!
Oh so many points for F1
1. My dictionary defines freedom, fairness, and free trade differently than these guys.
2. Fine regarding antitrust. Make sure you include baseball as well, then.
3. Per Spinal Tap, 11 is louder than 10. So 11 teams. I am personally fine with 10 teams. As the guy says, buy one of them.
4. F1 fiasco. Welcome, F1, to the US of A. I'm sure Trump will clean this one up. MBS, anyone?
The only way that I knew the thing in the elevator wasn't a Tribble is that it was all alone.
Lol. You never know though. It might have got lost.
"Then, for some reason, Congress got involved. Rep. John James (R-Mich.) sent a letter to owners of Formula One demanding answers to why Andretti can’t have his team in F1. He also held a press conference on Capitol Hill alongside Andretti to give the issue some extra visibility with the media."
IMO, there are three reasons for Congress' involvement:
1. Despite claims of belief in open businesses run under the flag of Capitalism and not under governmental decrees, RINOs -- and many Dems -- just can't let businesses operate without an offering of "governmental insight." In today's world the free marketplace is ever shrinking under the pressure of federal (state and local, too) intrusionary oversight, our government has gotten into deciding who are winners and who are losers. Don't get me wrong, a completely free market is an unattainable goal, and there will always be a need for *some* interference by lawmakers, but they need to understand that their positions need to be, at the minimum, much more hands off than we are currently witnessing.
2. Today's Congress (on both sides of the aisle, though more predominant in the New GOP) cannot function without taking at least some small part in political theater. Our "leaders" are leaning into "listen to what we say, and ignore what we do or don't do." The fear of any potential blowback to policy decisions have most of them paralyzed, leading to a good number of them who can do nothing more than act as if they are real legislators.
3. Our elected officials seem to believe that no international organization, sporting or otherwise, can function properly unless Americans are involved. How can a global company hope to succeed without American savvy and skills?
-----
"Andretti revealed a tense conversation between himself and Liberty Media CEO Greg Maffei during the Miami Grand Prix just a couple weeks prior. (Liberty is the owner of F1.) According to Andretti, Maffei told him:
"Mario, I want to tell you that I will do everything in my power to see that Michael never enters Formula 1.""
Mr Andretti, where there any witnesses to this conversation? The CEO of a company as large as Liberty is not very likely to make threats in public, and without corroboration this is nothing more than "he said... he said."
Besides, what makes Mr Andretti believe that F1 should change their policies to accommodate him? The policy is ten teams with two cars each; any changes must come from the stakeholders and not some outside wannabe who wants in on the action.
-----
"I would advise [Andretti-Cadillac] to go and buy another team, not to come as the eleventh team. I feel that some teams need to be refreshed. What is better? To have eleven teams as a number or ten and they are strong? I still believe we should have more teams but not any teams. The right teams."
I agree with Mohammed Ben Sulayem:
If Mario is so hot on being allowed into F1, he should consider making an offer that can't be refused to another team owner. Buy a team that needs strengthening, and do it. With his demands to be admitted to the F1 circuit Mr Andretti is contributing to the (mistaken) stereotype of a pouting American stamping his foot and insisting that things be done his way. And Mr Ben Sulayem is also correct in insisting that the "right" teams are what makes up F1. Allowing any team in because they think they are qualified is like a UFL team that hasn't broken .500 in their entire existence demanding a place in the NFL because they, too, are professional football players who think that they are worthy.
(BTW, why am I not the least bit surprised that Jim Jordan inserted himself into the middle of this "controversy?" He's failed at impeaching Pres Biden and smearing his family for the benefit of Trump [sic], he's failed at impugning the character of a bunch of Dems for no other reason that they aren't RINOs and pseudo-conservatives like him, and he has not championed a single piece of legislation that would be of benefit to all Americans -- and not just the denizens of the MAGAverse -- so why not take up yet another losing cause.)
(edited to remove redundant quote)
fnord
>>Buy a team that needs strengthening, and do it.
What’s in Andretti’s, Barra’s, or Reuss’s record to support the assumption they could do that? They could screw up a 2-car funeral, and they’re going to fix an F1 team. Color me skeptical.
I bow to your superior knowledge [no sarc intended] since I don't follow F1. My comment was how this mildly informed layperson read the segment. I'll fess up here, basically all I do know is the name: Mario Andretti, and what I gather when I turn on coverage of a race -- which isn't very often.
fnord
Sorry if I seemed to bark at you. Meant to cackle at GMdretti. They’ve nothing to offer F1 and everyone knows it. So Mike runs to Mario runs to Mary runs to Gym.
By hilarious I mean pathetic.
I didn't think you were snapping, not at all. No harm, no foul.
fnord
fnord!
👍
(I thought of a pentagram, but I couldn't find one that didn't point straight up or straight down.)
fnord
"journalists who are often as bored as the lawmakers they are covering when it comes to the pattern of the election-focused news cycle."
Can you name an example of such a journalist?
Between JVL's wrasslin' posts and Joe's blurbs about skateboarding, I am glad that there is a small sliver of The Bulwark that feels like it's created just for me.
All MLS are (as pointed out) cartels. There are usually steep barriers to entry, usually including some form of approval by members/owners of the league (who are usually reluctant to add more teams, potentially diluting their market and profit).
If Congress is going to go after F1 (because they are conveniently foreign) they should be going after all the other MLS as well.
But, as pointed out, you can score points for election by lambasting the evil foreigners, even if nothing comes of it.
Listen Joe, you got me
addicted to Thrasher! It took
forever to get out of there. I
don't particularly like "skate
parks" for advanced, dare
devil skate boarders. Let
them have the architecture,
everywhere.
I have some pointers for
congress if the only thing
they can come up with to
hash over about is F1.
Andretti are getting hosed by F1 which is a total cartel btw. I suspect they will be allowed entry once the new Concorde agreement (rules) are signed which will let a new team in if they pay $600m up from the current $100m.
It's BS but it's all about money at the end of the day.
All MLS are cartels, if you want to call them that. It's monstrously difficult to compete successfully in F1, and F1 has no obligation to let anyone who wants to enter a team, and no more than any sports league has an obligation to award a team franchise to whomever. There are huge hurdles and barriers to entry, and for good reason. In any event, Michael Andretti's brief turn as an F1 driver was pathetic. Why would his entry as a team owner be any different?
Andretti have success in every other discipline they have raced in and every sports league year care to name understands the importance of expansion and freshening things up.
It would make more sense if you had 10 competition teams but Red Bull are literally running a junior team alongside the main one that would never be allowed to win a title regardless.
I'm from the more is more school and if they've got the money, let them in.
Mario was a successful F1 driver, along with stocks and Indycar. Michael was successful as an Indycar driver, and the Andretti team as been competitive in Indycar. That doesn't mean they would be in F1. But as the FIA boss said, buy a struggling team and rebuild it. That's been done numerous times - with varying success. But it is the most expedient route. Once they own it, they can remake it as they wish, within the rules, of course, the boundaries of which get pushed by every team, but that's racing.
Right now, Red Bull is dominant. Wasn't that long ago that it was all Mercedes. And then there's Ferrari, which are ascendant once again. Not to mention all the other notable teams over the years, such as McLaren, Williams, Aston Martin, and there is a US-owned team on the grid - Haas, currently using Ferrari engines. Ford is coming back as an engine supplier next year. Expect some changes. And with Hamilton moving to Ferrari next season, it's probable Red Bull's dominance will wane.
In the case of the Andrettis, make it an even $750M for being a whining baby.
As a fellow skater from the 90’s, thank you Joe Perticone for letting me know about Love Park getting rebuilt. That warms my heart. Good things happening in world. Who knew?
Thank you for the love for "Veep," one of the best, funniest and probably truest shows ever.