The problem is all the F1 engineers are located in Europe. Unless this hypothetical Chinese team plans to try build an F1 car from first principles, they're going to need a European base, likely in the UK, where most F1 teams are based. Then you also need an engine, current and future F1 engines are hybrid, both using ICE (internal combustion engine) and battery technology. The ICE part of the powertrain is one of the most advanced and thermally efficient petrol engines ever made. Over 50% thermal efficiency. So unless this hypothetical team plans to build one of the most advanced engines ever made from first principles, building an engine would require collaboration with a manufacturer with tonnes of experience with internal combustion engines and turbocharging. And that's just the two most important pieces of the puzzle.
As you can see, getting an F1 team up and running is a very complicated business. And that's before clearing the bureaucracy of the FIA and FOM. That's where Andretti is struggling at the moment, as they are unconvinced by Andretti's plans. No one wants another backmarker team.
I wonder if any of these ghouls actually follows the races and geeks out over the car specs like an otaku would. My money they're just posers there for the clout.
They're in there. 1 in 1000 ultra rich car guys will actually be really into the cars themselves rather than the status symbol.
Some that come to mind are the guys that will endlessly restore, race, crash, repeat vintage racecars. They'll get in turn-of-the-century deathtraps, slam into a wall, and basically go "ah i guess we're restorin' again" in a crossover episode of the ship of thesius and Sisyphus.
The only rich guys I sorta respect are the kind that will put themselves into harms way for their interests.
this is why you need to work overtime for minimum wage while paying $2000/month in rent, otherwise the CEOs and landlords wouldn't be able to afford their treats!