Formula One's invitation for a meeting with Andretti hidden in spam folder

Andretti Cadlliac has released an initial response to the denial of their entry into the Formula One World Championship, stating that an in-person meeting was missed due to a missing email invitation, reportedly sent to a spam folder.

Michael Andretti’s proposed Formula One team will continue work on their entry despite a rejection from the sport’s commercial rights holders. (File/Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

The Associated Press reported that the email was discovered in a search of the email system.

“We were not aware that the offer of a meeting had been extended and would not decline a meeting with Formula One Management,” read a statement from Andretti Cadillac, the working name of the proposed Formula One team operated by Andretti Global.

“An in-person meeting to discuss commercial matters would be and remains of paramount importance to Andretti Cadillac.”

“We welcome the opportunity to meet with Formula One Management and have written to them confirming our interest.”

Andretti also sought to clarify a key claim made in F1’s reasons for rejecting the team’s bid.

Formula One had said that the team would not have time to prepare for the 2025 season, let alone build a second car under new regulations for the 2026 season.

“The fact that the applicant proposes to do so gives us reason to question their understanding of the scope of the challenge involved,” F1 said.

Andretti was quick to reject this claim as providing any evidence of their inexperience.

“When Andretti Cadillac entered the FIA expression of interest process almost a year ago, the preferred first year of participation was indicated as 2025.”

“The FIA approved our application, with no specific limitation on whether the entry was for 2025 or 2026.”

“Andretti Cadillac has been operating with 2026 as the year of entry for many months now.”

“The technicality of 2025 still being part of the application is a result of the length of this process.”