Days after the FIA announced that it had given the green light to Andretti's bid to enter F1, Aston Martin owner Lawrence Stroll becomes the first to speak out against the move.

While Andretti may have the blessing of the sport's governing body, the approval of the sports owners and the majority of the teams that contest it is another matter entirely.

While the row over money has dominated the headlines, just about every other excuse has been used thus far including safety, logistics and not being in the sport's DNA, even though this is how many of the current teams entered in the first place... some when there were a lot more than ten teams.

Ahead of this weekend's Qatar Grand Prix, where the Andretti bid is likely to be one of the main topics of conversation, Aston Martin owner, Lawrence has become the first to publicly criticise the move.

"I think F1, at the moment, the business is on fire, the sport has never been in a better place," he told Sky Sports, "and I believe if it isn't broken, you don't need to fix it.

"I'm a strong believer that it's working really well with ten teams right now, and believe that's the way it should stay," he added.

"There's never been more fans, spectators at races," he continued, "the audience is the highest it's ever been, I continue to see substantial growth, particularly in the United States, which is the largest consumer market in the world.

"As you know, we now have three races in the States, we're in our second year in Miami, we're going to Las Vegas in November. So, I see tremendous growth possibilities going forward."

Andretti's application will now be passed to Formula One Management where it will undergo a lengthy process which will mainly involve the financial aspects of an eleventh team.

Thus far, the sport's stakeholders have been silent on the FIA's announcement other than a somewhat brief statement.

"We note the FIA's conclusions in relation to the first and second phases of their process and will now conduct our own assessment of the merits of the remaining application," it read.

Indeed, the FIA's announcement wasn't even deemed worthy of a mention on the sport's official website.

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by Tom2681, 05/10/2023 21:46

"In fairness, if you told me I could let an 11th team in but it would cost me money, I would say no as well. Maybe teams shouldn't be allowed that choice in the first place."

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2. Posted by USAF1genius, 05/10/2023 21:14

"Strolls quote ""I think F1, at the moment, the business is on fire, the sport has never been in a better place," he told Sky Sports, "and I believe if it isn't broken, you don't need to fix it." Is exactly what NASCAR was saying in the 90's....Standing still as many of the team owners want is not a good option...when you stop moving...you're done. Laps posted comment nailed it!"

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3. Posted by Laps, 05/10/2023 18:31

"Lawrence
F1 is a sport, not your private cash generating franchise. Imagine if the 100m sprint at the Olympics just had only the same 10 competitors for 20 years, because nobody else was allowed to compete? Would YOU watch?"

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4. Posted by Defiant, 05/10/2023 18:12

"I'll trust this guys opinion when he replaces a certain crash magnet with a driver worth the seat."

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5. Posted by elsiebc, 05/10/2023 15:00

"Since the excuse is that everything is going gangbusters right now so don't change it, does that mean when it tanks and there's less money to divvy up that they'll be open to more teams?"

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6. Posted by BrightonCorgi, 05/10/2023 12:58

"As much as I am fan of Aston Martin and Lawrence certainly knows more than me on a lot of stuff, I have to disagree with his sentiment on Andretti entering F1.

Andretti is one of most beloved family names in American sports. Not just motorsports. To think their entry would do anything but propel F1 further into the American viewer is naive. Everyone loves the Andretti's in the US and their entry into F1 is bound to add a lot of viewers and excitement. Even beyond just America.

I think he and other teams are worried that the Andretti's will be mid-pack from the 1st season and a title challenger within 5 years. Puts a wet blank on Stroll's plans which seem to be falling in place for AMF1 so far."

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7. Posted by Superbird70, 05/10/2023 11:47

"Larry's DNA is in clothing. This is all about the money. Consumerism at it's finest. How may Ralph Lauren polos is he going to sell in China or Vietnam? He might make them there but the buyers are in the U.S.A."

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8. Posted by kenji, 05/10/2023 11:40

"C'mon lawrence....don't be such a scaredy cat...embrace the challenge."

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F1 should stick with 10 teams says Stroll

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