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Andretti bid won’t affect USGP interest, says COTA’s Epstein
Circuit of The Americas chairman Bobby Epstein wants to see Andretti join the Formula 1 grid but doesn’t believe it will have an impact on interest around the United States Grand Prix.
Andretti Cadillac’s application was approved by the FIA, allowing the team to move onto the next stage of the process with Formula One Management (FOM) to try and discuss commercial terms. As much of the focus has been on the financial impact of adding a new team, race promoters are likely to be asked their opinions on expansion and Epstein says it is only likely to make a major impact on the USGP if Andretti is in a position to win races.
“It doesn’t (change much),” Epstein told RACER. “I'm interested in what sells tickets and a winning U.S. team would help sell tickets. Otherwise, I hope it happens simply because Mario Andretti was very good to us and has been a very good friend of the track. So it's one on a personal level that I hope it happens, rather than necessarily on a business level.”
Epstein says the Austin F1 venue doesn’t need Andretti in the sense that the huge fan base that already exists has connected with the current set of teams and drivers regardless of nationality.
“No, you don’t (need an American team). A winning American driver would be fantastic. In the absence of that … I think the rest of it is just some nice to have," he said. "It doesn't move the needle for us.”
Michael and Mario Andretti are expected to be present at COTA for part of the United States Grand Prix weekend, but RACER understands no direct discussions with FOM are currently planned.
Chris Medland
While studying Sports Journalism at the University of Central Lancashire, Chris managed to talk his way into working at the British Grand Prix in 2008 and was retained for three years before joining ESPN F1 as Assistant Editor. After three further years at ESPN, a spell as F1 Editor at Crash Media Group was followed by the major task of launching F1i.com’s English-language website and running it as Editor. Present at every race since the start of 2014, he has continued building his freelance portfolio, working with international titles. As well as writing for RACER, his broadcast work includes television appearances on F1 TV and as a presenter and reporter on North America's live radio coverage on SiriusXM.
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