“Recent information suggests, as anticipated from the outset of this process, that the only successful applicant will be Andretti,” says Rodin Cars, who reveals some of the requirements for the F1 entry process.
Rodin Cars has released a media statement that confirms its comprehensive submission to join the Formula 1 grid has been rejected. Further, it has outlined the list of criteria that it had to prove itself worthy of, including that it is independently financially secure to cover all costs which would include the F1’s anti-dilution fee currently set at US$200 million until 2026 when it is proposed to increase to $600 million.
Rodin Carlin is already one of the largest teams outside Formula 1, fielding teams across Formula 2, Formula 3, NTT INDYCAR Series, EuroFormula Open, BRDC British F3 and British Formula 4. It was announced earlier this year that Rodin Cars purchased majority shares of Carlin, formerly Carlin Motorsport, which was founded in 1996 by Trevor Carlin and Martin Stone. Rodin Cars is owned by David Dicker, founder and owner of billion-dollar IT company Dicker Data.
Dicker’s passion for cars and motorsport led him to start Rodin Cars, a specialist car-building company with an expansive and state-of-the-art facility in New Zealand producing cars such as the FZED and upcoming FZERO hypercar.
It is where racing car drivers such as Liam Lawson – who is currently replacing Daniel Ricciardo in F1 due to injury, W Series champion Jamie Chadwick, and British F1 driver Louis Sharp have tested on Rodin Car’s private race track.
In the media statement from Rodin, it confirmed that it had joined the FIA’s process to vet new teams for entry into F1. Rodin says “Unfortunately, our bid was not successful.”
Rodin Cars goes on to say that the latest information suggests Andretti Cadillac will be joining F1, and in a further release of information, the requirements for the process have been revealed.
“Recent information suggests, as anticipated from the outset of this process, that the only successful applicant will be Andretti. Below, we outline the significant differences between the Andretti Bid and the Rodin Bid.”
The points outlined as part of the process for the bid to join F1 are as follows:
1: Geographic Diversity
2: Guaranteed Female Driver
3: Car manufacturer
4: Ferrari collaboration
5: Junior Race Team
6: Founder funded
The following is the extract from Rodin’s media statement, released in full, outlining its position on how it applied to join F1.
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 NZ, in both an F3 car and our own car, the 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 NZ. This includes a full engine building facility from the castings up. 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 F1 lap times. This car has been conceived and designed in NZ. 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 adder 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 F1 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.