New Zealand constructor Rodin Cars has revealed that its bid to enter the Formula One World Championship with Carlin has proved unsuccessful.

Other than being "fully funded", the team claims it had a guaranteed seat for W Series champion, Jamie Chadwick.

In a statement confirming the FIA's decision, the New Zealand outfit confirmed that of the numerous bids that were made to enter F1, only that of Andretti Global has been successful, though this will still meet opposition from F1 and the teams.

"Unfortunately, our bid was not successful," reads today's statement. "This statement is intended to provide insight into the key points of our bid that we believe justified its merit. We wish to emphasise that our objective here is not to criticise the FIA or seek a reconsideration of its decision. We fully respect and accept the outcome. Our sole purpose is to release information we consider in the public interest to inform the Formula 1 community.

"Recent information suggests, as anticipated from the outset of this process, that the only successful applicant will be Andretti Global. Below, we outline the significant differences between the Andretti bid and the Rodin bid:

1: Geographic Diversity
2: Guaranteed Female Driver
3: Car manufacturer
4: Ferrari collaboration
5: Junior Race Team
6: Founder funded

Details:

1: Geographic Diversity

Rodin Cars proposed building the cars at our state-of-the-art facility in New Zealand, making us the only current manufacturer in the Southern Hemisphere.

2: Guaranteed Female Driver

We committed to reserving one seat for a female driver. We have tested Liam Lawson, Jamie Chadwick and Louis Sharp at our facility in New Zealand, in both an F3 car and our own car, the Rodin FZed, which is a car somewhat quicker than a GP2/F2 car. Jamie performed exceptionally well, and if she was available, we would have no hesitation in putting her in a seat.

3: Car manufacturer

While we have not produced a large volume of cars, we have a very extensive manufacturing facility in New Zealand. This includes an engine facility capable of building an entire engine from the castings up. Additionally, Rodin Cars has full composite capabilities and our own test tracks.

We are particularly proud to announce that we have a fully functional prototype of our FZero. A car designed to challenge Formula 1 lap times. This car has been conceived and designed in New Zealand. The gearbox is built by Ricardo to a Rodin concept and the 4-litre V10 engine has been developed by Neil Brown Engines, again to a Rodin concept.

The assembly, fabrication and testing of the car has been done entirely within our facility in New Zealand.

4: Ferrari collaboration

We had the opportunity of discussions for a Ferrari collaboration on the Rodin F1 car.

5: Junior Race Team

Through our acquisition of Carlin, we have established a comprehensive junior open-wheel program encompassing F4, GB3, F3, and F2. While Andretti has a long history of successful participation in U.S. racing, our program offers a direct ladder to an F1 drive by competing in UK and European championships.

6: Founder funded

Unlike recent applicants, Rodin Cars is financially equipped to fully fund the Formula 1 program from the personal wealth of our founder.

We appreciate the opportunity to have participated in the FIA process and extend our best wishes to Andretti for their successful bid. Rodin Cars remains committed to pushing the boundaries of motorsport and will continue to pursue excellence in the world of racing.

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by meatball, 02/10/2023 15:40

"Talk about turning a large pile of money into a small one
1) Geographic diversity? right, because New Zealand is a shipping hub. Every single race is fly-away - what a nightmare for logistics - never mind what it would do to staff.
2) Guarenteed Female Driver - WHO CARES - is this person proven? She's driven in W and tested for AMR other than that a complete red-herring
3) Car Manufacturer - who? ok, they are modern day Garage-istes but is Koenigsegg. The world has heard of one of them
... the rest is just further Eye Rolling.

The days of vintage williams and lotus start-ups is gone. if the likes of a motorsport powerhouse like Andretti can't get a team entered no one else stands a chance."

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2. Posted by BillH, 29/09/2023 0:39

"Well, it’s a bit of a shame that the the FIA didn’t think outside the box and let Rodin give it a go, though I can see that Andretti is the best option.

In regards to logistics I’d say research and development by Rodin would be done in NZ with the majority of manufacturing and race team based in the UK.

We can’t attract medical personnel to move to this country let alone top flight engineering folks so yes, that would be an issue.

In regard to lockdowns, the anti royal that is now a dame is no longer PM having “nothing in the tank” so took up a Harvard fellowship, or two instead. Any future government that proposes lockdowns or boarder closures here would not shall we say do very well. "

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3. Posted by Apexing, 28/09/2023 17:35

"Point 7: Rodin teamed up with Godzilla in Destroy All Monsters, thus saving humanity.
Point 8: Rodin created The Thinker and The Gates of Hell, and they're interesting statues.
Ergo, Rodin should get the nod over Team Andretti.

@Editor: great point about the pandemic shutdowns...how could they race if they're forcibly detained in their home country?"

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4. Posted by Chester, 28/09/2023 17:33

"@alistairmx There is a reason, with populations of 5 million for New Zealand and 26 million for Australia, that these countries have by far the highest propensity for airline travel- they are at the end of the world compared to most of the rest of the world.

Plus moving a person (and their family) within England or even within Europe is a much smaller ask than moving them to New Zealand.

There is a reason the route from Sydney to London is called the kangaroo route- there are zero nonstops, and if there were one, it would last so long that you'd shoot yourself before you landed."

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5. Posted by Editor, 28/09/2023 15:33

"In all honesty it reads like something Keir Starmer or Rishi Sunak would issue ahead of the election... essentially 'we'll do whatever it is you want us to do if you will just give us your vote'.

And talking of politicians, after the way Jacinda Ardern shut down New Zealand during the pandemic, any further ‘outbreaks’ would destroy a ‘locally-based’ F1 team overnight."

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6. Posted by elsiebc, 28/09/2023 15:24

"@BrightonCorgi But, but, the guaranteed female driver. Surely that alone proves their mettle. Not to mention they found a way to include the buzzword "diversity".

I guess all our hope rests with LKYSUNZ now."

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7. Posted by BrightonCorgi, 28/09/2023 14:13

"None of those points seem that persuasive on their own."

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8. Posted by alistairmx, 28/09/2023 13:20

"Having followe Motorsports for over 60 years it amazes me that only Europe is considered as the only zone in the world suitable to operate a F1 enterprise.
New Zealand has a large pool of excellent engineers proven in world wide competition available.
It is also one of the best countries for families. Logistics would not be a problem if planned properly.
Has a pool of young proven drivers so should not be written off so lightly.
Saludos."

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9. Posted by Motorsport-fan, 28/09/2023 13:13

"Rodin would have made an interesting addition to the grid especially with giving Jamie Chadwick a chance, its yet to be seen if Andretti Global make it, but this all gives Formula One the appearance of being a closed shop to new entrants. "

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10. Posted by Chester, 28/09/2023 10:36

"Reminds me of when I used to talk wannabe-airline entrants off the ledge.

The FIA saved Rodin from losing a lot of money. New Zealand is located at the end of the world Attracting qualified employees, over the long run, would be difficult, not to mention the logistics of a factory very far away from almost every race."

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Rodin F1 entry is unsuccessful

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