---
title: "Andretti: ‘Control issues’ killed Sauber F1 takeover"
canonical: "https://readmotorsport.com/2021/11/04/andretti-control-issues-killed-sauber-f1-takeover/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Hamilton Lyndon-Griffiths"
section: "F1 News"
published: "2021-11-04T17:32:30Z"
modified: "2021-11-04T17:36:29Z"
---

# Andretti: ‘Control issues’ killed Sauber F1 takeover

Michael Andretti has blamed “control issues” not “financial reasons” for his failure to buy a majority stake in the Sauber-owned Alfa Romeo Formula 1 team.

Last month reports began to circle that Andretti was interested in entering his own F1 team, with a planned bid to takeover Sauber that runs the Alfa Romeo outfit.

But despite positive early talks a deal fell through at the final hurdle, ending hopes for Andretti to expand his motorsport portfolio that includes Indycar, Formula E and Extreme E.

Andretti, who competed in 13 grand prix’s for McLaren in 1993, refuted claims that financial issues were to blame for its failed takeover, saying instead it came down to control of the team.

“I’d just like to put an end to some of these rumors that the deal fell through because of financial reasons,” Andretti said, as quoted by Motorsport.com. “That couldn’t be further from the truth. It had nothing to do with that.

“It basically came down to control issues in the final hours of the negotiations. That’s what killed the deal.

“I’ve always said if the deal is not right, we’re not going to do it, and in the end it wasn’t right. So we continue to look for other opportunities.”

He later added: “Unfortunately at the 11th hour, control issues changed, and it was a deal that we had to step away from because we couldn’t accept it. I always said that we’re only going to do it if it’s right for us, and in the end it wasn’t right for us.”

Andretti also confirmed part of the plan was for Indycar driver Colton Herta to have driven alongside Valtteri Bottas in the second Alfa seat for 2022.

“Obviously if we do ever get a team, \[Herta\] would lead the way for us in terms of wanting to bring an American driver,” Andretti said.

“He’d be the perfect guy to do it. I mean, we definitely were going to try to get him into the seat because I believe he could be a competitive driver in Europe. I really do. There’s no reason why he wouldn’t.”

Alfa Romeo is yet to confirm its second driver for next year, with Formula 2 driver Guanyu Zhou favourite to replace current incumbent Antonio Giovinazzi.

The Swiss-based team sits ninth in the constructors’ standings having scored just seven points all season, it lowest points total at this stage since 2017.