Mario Andretti reveals 'bullet through my heart' comment over F1 team entry bid

The Andretti-Maffei confrontation

According to Mario Andretti's account, a conversation with Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali during the Miami Grand Prix weekend took an unexpected turn when Greg Maffei, CEO of F1's commercial rights holder Liberty Media, intervened.

Andretti revealed the details of the incident to NBC News.

"Just as I was trying to explain that to Stefano, Greg Maffei, Mr. Maffei, broke in the conversation and he said: 'Mario, I want to tell you that I will do everything in my power to see that Michael [Andretti] never enters Formula 1',"

Andretti recounted.

The 1978 F1 World Champion expressed his disbelief at Maffei's remarks, stating,

"I could not believe that. That one really floored me. … We're talking about business."

"I didn't know it was something so personal. That was really — oh, my goodness. I could not believe it. It was just like a bullet through my heart."

Conflicting accounts

However, a source close to Liberty Media disputed Andretti's version of events, claiming that Maffei had informed Andretti that the Andretti team's application had been rejected for valid business reasons during their conversation.

Political pressure mounts

The pressure on F1 to grant the Andretti team entry into the sport has been mounting, with a group of bipartisan US senators calling upon the Biden administration to investigate the issue under antitrust regulations.

The senators cited the financial incentive of adding an American team to F1's roster, particularly given the sport's growing presence in the United States.

Andretti's capitol hill visit

Andretti has clarified that he "did not initiate" the approach to Capitol Hill, but rather was invited to appear and explain the situation following a recent Red Bull F1 showrun.

Since his meeting with lawmakers and senators, members of Congress have accused F1 of engaging in anti-competitive practices by denying the Andretti team's application.

Staffing moves

In a potential sign of the Andretti team's determination to secure an F1 entry, they have managed to lure a senior staff member directly away from F1.

Pat Symonds, the sport's chief technical officer, is set to join the Silverstone-based squad later this year, following a period of gardening leave.

As the drama surrounding the Andretti F1 team's bid for entry continues to unfold, Mario Andretti's candid account of his confrontation with Greg Maffei has added another layer of intrigue to the ongoing saga.