24 replies to this topic

[eibyyz]

IndyCar, Indy Lights and FE.  Honestly, they needed it.  

[HeadFirst]

As I said in the St Pete's race thread .... I'd love to see Andretti purchase the Haas team, and move into F1, with Colton Herta in one of the cars.

[eibyyz]

As I said in the St Pete's race thread .... I'd love to see Andretti purchase the Haas team, and move into F1, with Colton Herta in one of the cars.

 

I can't see where he'd be able to raise the bux, unless Gene sells it for 1USD just to be done with it.  And I don't think Michael wants to be anywhere near Mazepin or his money.  Michael's had a few sponsor checks bounce in his time as an owner and I think that's lost its charm.

 

If NA$CAR goes to a spec engine, I'd think he'd take a look there but I'm not too excited about that.

[loki]

As I said in the St Pete's race thread .... I'd love to see Andretti purchase the Haas team, and move into F1, with Colton Herta in one of the cars.

There is no upside for Andretti.  Haas did it to increase sales internationally and it appears to have helped.  He’s tripling the plant size this year.  Apparently theymare backordered on many models for several months.

[krapmeister]

I really don't think Michael has any love for F1 does he? Plus it is an absolute money pit...

[SKL]

Michael back in F1 in any capacity?    Is it April 1 ????

[dgsg]

Michael back in F1 in any capacity?    Is it April 1 ????

Took the words right out of my mouth!

[NewMrMe]

Wasn't Michael Andretti supposed to be one of the interested parties when Force India was up for sale before Lawrence Stroll bought it?

[HeadFirst]

You guys are not paying attention ... I said I would love to see it, not that Andretti would do it. There are many arguments against the move to F1 for the Andretti organization, all of them practical. The only reason for Andretti to go to F1 is simple. Michael has an elite racer's mentality, and as such will seek the top level of his sport. The Andretti organization has been successful in many aspects of auto racing. Only F1 is left to explore.

[SKL]

Mario is pushing big time for Colton to go to a good team in F1.  Sure would help F1's exposure here, and he thinks with a second race here now, it would be a perfect time.  Can't argue with that!  Mario sure looked happy in the pits yesterday with Bryan after the race...

Love Mario's comment about "that Russian kid..."  

[TennisUK]

Herta’s dad tested a Minardi a couple of times from memory - in an era when there were basically no other American prospects at all.

[teejay]

Herta snr was never a prospect either, but if he had somehow bought a big enough cheque.... 

 

Remember, the organisation is looking to float to raise capital ... who knows. 

 

But yeah, don't think Michael would even consider it unless they had a signed deal with some big pennies behind it. 

[eibyyz]

 

Remember, the organisation is looking to float to raise capital ... who knows. 

 

 

Slap my grandma--I'd totally forgotten about the IPO.  Thanx for the reminder!

 

I still don't see F1, but they gotta spend that 250MM on something...

[loki]

Slap my grandma--I'd totally forgotten about the IPO.  Thanx for the reminder!

 

I still don't see F1, but they gotta spend that 250MM on something...

The IPO is for a new company not the current motorsport team.  It’s for a “special purpose acquisition company” or SPAC.  It’s an investment fund for auto related investments.  A fund like this probably isn’t going to be an F1 team or necessarily racing based.  The S-1 filing indicates “automotive”  sectors.

 

​While we may pursue our initial business combination in any business, industry or geographic location, we currently seek to focus on opportunities that can benefit from the iconic Andretti brand name, both inside and outside of the worldwide motor sports platform and the expertise and ability of our management team to identify, acquire and grow a business in the broadly-defined automotive industry. This industry includes, but is not limited to advanced mobility and related next-generation technologies, premium and performance vehicles and replacement automotive parts.

 

 

Our business strategy is to identify and complete our initial business combination with a company in the automotive industry, specifically focused on the advanced mobility and related technologies, luxury vehicle and/or performance vehicle-parts sectors. We believe that there is strong demand for businesses in these sectors and there is an opportunity to enhance their growth by leveraging the highly recognized Andretti brand name as well as our management team’s experiences and skills, unique industry expertise and broad and deep relationship network to access a broad spectrum of differentiated opportunities. Potential target companies may demonstrate the characteristics set forth under “—Business Combination Criteria” below, and our selection process is expected to leverage our management team’s contacts in our target sectors.

 

https://www.sec.gov/...1/d63144ds1.htm

[teejay]

F1 would technically be an auto related investment though  

[eibyyz]

The IPO is for a new company not the current motorsport team.  It’s for a “special purpose acquisition company” or SPAC.  It’s an investment fund for auto related investments.  A fund like this probably isn’t going to be an F1 team or necessarily racing based.  The S-1 filing indicates “automotive”  sectors.

 

 

https://www.sec.gov/...1/d63144ds1.htm

 

Thanks for the detail.  So, let the rampant speculation begin:  Hypercar?  Electric hypercar?  Autonomous electric?  

[garoidb]

You guys are not paying attention ... I said I would love to see it, not that Andretti would do it. There are many arguments against the move to F1 for the Andretti organization, all of them practical. The only reason for Andretti to go to F1 is simple. Michael has an elite racer's mentality, and as such will seek the top level of his sport. The Andretti organization has been successful in many aspects of auto racing. Only F1 is left to explore.

 

How is he as a businessman and team owner? I find it interesting that he has done so well in that role, and I wonder what is behind that. Is it down to him or other factors? Would he look at F1 in cold blooded financial and business terms, or is there some draw beyond that? 

[eibyyz]

How is he as a businessman and team owner? I find it interesting that he has done so well in that role, and I wonder what is behind that. Is it down to him or other factors? Would he look at F1 in cold blooded financial and business terms, or is there some draw beyond that? 

 

As I heard the story, when Mario was trying to get Michael into F1, Mario was more enthusiastic then Michael was about the idea. 

 

In his CART days, Michael was spending more time with principals and management than with engineers.  

 

But I've also heard that AA was in bad financial shape at one time, about 10-12 years ago.  

[HeadFirst]

How is he as a businessman and team owner? I find it interesting that he has done so well in that role, and I wonder what is behind that. Is it down to him or other factors? Would he look at F1 in cold blooded financial and business terms, or is there some draw beyond that? 

 

I am an artist, not a business person myself, so all I can draw upon is what I have seen him do as a part of the resurrection of open wheel racing in the US. It would be much better if those who follow the series closely (team structures, finances and the like) more closely. I just watch the races. 

[Risil]

Herta’s dad tested a Minardi a couple of times from memory - in an era when there were basically no other American prospects at all.

 

The Minardi test was odd because it took place in 2002, after Herta was finished in CART but before he was picked up by Andretti as a sub for the injured Dario Franchitti, which turned into a full-time ride.

 

Bryan is roughly the same age as Robby Gordon, Jeff Gordon and Tony Stewart. NASCAR was a big talent hoover for young Americans back then.

[AustinF1]

You guys are not paying attention ... I said I would love to see it, not that Andretti would do it. There are many arguments against the move to F1 for the Andretti organization, all of them practical. The only reason for Andretti to go to F1 is simple. Michael has an elite racer's mentality, and as such will seek the top level of his sport. The Andretti organization has been successful in many aspects of auto racing. Only F1 is left to explore.

Stay tuned ...

[AustinF1]

As I said in the St Pete's race thread .... I'd love to see Andretti purchase the Haas team, and move into F1, with Colton Herta in one of the cars.

Or how about AT? Honda ties. Italian base, etc. 

 

Haas seems a lot less cost-effective of a purchase, imho, if one were looking to buy an F1 team.

[HeadFirst]

Or how about AT? Honda ties. Italian base, etc. 

 

Haas seems a lot less cost-effective of a purchase, imho, if one were looking to buy an F1 team.

 

Not only that ^ , but ready to compete .... and a good place for young Herta as well.

[Anja]

Stay tuned ...

 

Your insider knowledge, wherever it's coming from, is always so intriguing.

Edited by Anja, 28 April 2021 - 22:34.

[loki]

Thanks for the detail.  So, let the rampant speculation begin:  Hypercar?  Electric hypercar?  Autonomous electric?  

 Yes.    My guess would be some sort of electric or hybrid.  Or in racing the hybrid and power store of the new Indycar engine.  That would port to consumer OEM products too.  The specs will be so tightly controlled it may as well be a spec part for ICS.  Or F1 customer hybrid power systems.  They could do that with buying or investing for a controlling share of one of the existing F1 technology companies.  Not the race team but the companies developing the technology.  Being a SPAC they will buy something already launched.

 

How is he as a businessman and team owner? I find it interesting that he has done so well in that role, and I wonder what is behind that. Is it down to him or other factors? Would he look at F1 in cold blooded financial and business terms, or is there some draw beyond that? 

 

SPAC investors are interested in growth opportunities.  It’s not going to be a team.  The Andrettis, all three, have significant investments and own several sucessful businesses.  The SPAC is a way to leverage the Andretti name and provide a solid investment.  At some point Andretti may buy an F1 team (though I doubt it) but the SPAC isn’t for a race team.  For $250 mil you won’t get much of an F1 race team.  Unless it’s bankrupt. 

 

ETA:  After poking around for a bit I’ll go out on a limb and suggest that McLaren Automotive and/or the auto and electronics portion of McLaren Applied Technologies (or maybe all of that subsidiary).  They may have enough to buy controlling interest but the race team and other investors could have minority stake.  They must have 50% or controlling interest as a SPAC.  Race team stays as is.  McLaren subsidiaries start branding Andretti products for consumer facing markets.  If it’s not McLaren it’s going to be something like that.  But not a race team.  The prospectus is pretty clear about that.

Edited by loki, 29 April 2021 - 03:24.