Even though the incoming Cadillac F1 team will continue to have ties with Andretti Global\u2019s IndyCar and Formula E programs, Andretti FE team principal Roger Griffiths has admitted that finding any crossover can result in a \u201cmassive headache.\u201d<\/p>\n
That\u2019s all thanks to the strict nature of Formula 1\u2019s cost cap, which erects strict limitations on the ways the various teams can work together.<\/p>\n
Cost cap preventing Cadillac F1 and Andretti Global from working together<\/p>\n
Since Andretti Global announced that it had filed an official Expression of Interest with the FIA regarding forming a Formula 1 team, there have been hopes that, if the were to be accepted, it would be able to collaborate with its Andretti counterparts in other sports \u2014 particularly the Andretti Global Formula E team.<\/p>\n
Another FIA-sanctioned championship, Formula E is an all-electric open-wheel series that just wrapped up its 11th season last month. Though F1 retains an internal combustion engine as a major part of its power unit, the sport\u2019s move to an equal distribution of power between the ICE and electric motors in the hybrid unit had many in the Andretti camp hoping there could be a certain level of cross-over between Formula E and Formula 1, even now that Andretti Global\u2019s F1 entry has been rebranded as Cadillac F1.<\/p>\n
However, Andretti Global FE team principal Roger Griffiths has pointed out that F1\u2019s cost cap would make any kind of collaboration of that kind a \u201cmassive headache.\u201d<\/p>\n
More on Cadillac F1:<\/p>\n
\ud83d\udc49\u00a0Cadillac F1: Everything you need to know about the new 11th team<\/a><\/p>\n \ud83d\udc49\u00a0Cadillac F1 signs first major sponsor with deep Formula 1 ties<\/a><\/p>\n In an interview with RacingNews365, Griffiths admitted that, \u201cCertainly, in the early days, we had those conversations. But there\u2019s one thing that\u2019s causing a massive headache that\u2019s kind of preventing all of that, and that\u2019s the cost cap.<\/p>\n \u201cThe way the Formula 1 cost cap is administrated, it makes it super difficult to have that joint support, transfer of information, transfer of technology, there needs to be really clear boundaries between the various programmes.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd I think that\u2019s going to make it very difficult. I mean, it doesn\u2019t prevent us from talking, certainly, I\u2019ve had a number of [conversations].\u201d<\/p>\n The cost cap is a financial regulation designed to reign in excessive spending in order to provide a more level playing field for the F1 teams at the top and the bottom of the grid.<\/p>\n Cost cap regulations are extensive and cover everything from car components, garage equipment, spare parts, and more.<\/p>\n It\u2019s that \u201ccar components\u201d part that provides a particular challenge, because it includes everything from the wheel nuts to the software required to run an electric motor as part of the overall power unit.<\/p>\n If Cadillac were to implement some software it had developed for its FE machine into its F1 car, then it is highly likely the FIA would need to determine whether or not the developmental costs of the FE software should be included in the F1 cost cap.<\/p>\n And if cost caps are breached, there are a range of possibilities for punishment, including everything points deductions for \u201cminor\u201d overspends to being disqualified from F1 overall for \u201cmajor\u201d overspends, which are characterized by spending five percent more than the cost cap.<\/p>\n Griffiths continued, \u201cUltimately, my boss, Dan Towriss [CEO of TWG Motorsports], is responsible for all of the programmes. So, we talk about how things could work together. We have good relationships.<\/p>\n \u201cBut, I think that the reality is it\u2019s going to be super difficult because of the cost cap regulations, it clearly defines how entities can work together within an inter-company arrangement. It\u2019s going to be quite tough.\u201d<\/p>\n Andretti\u2019s Formula E team inspired its Formula 1 bid<\/p>\n