FIA president signals support for 12th F1 team

FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem has signalled his support for a potential 12th team to join the grid - and pointed towards China as a possible market.

The F1 grid is set to expand to 11 teams in 2026 after Cadillac got the green light to enter with a General Motors-backed bid after the initial Andretti application had been rejected by FOM on commercial matters.

Ben Sulayem had opened the Expression of Interest programme to begin the process of new teams potentially joining in January 2023, with the current Concorde Agreement allowing for 13 teams - or 26 cars.

It is currently being re-negotiated with the current Concorde set to expire at the end of 2025, having introduced the cost cap to F1 for 2021.

Existing teams had been against the introduction of a new outfit, believing it would dilute their financial stability, with the grid last having 12 teams in 2012 before HRT folded.

Ben Sulayem, who faces a re-election bid later this year for his second four-year term in office, believes China is a key market to explore for a 12th team.

"20 races was enough, and from the outset, I've thought that we need fewer grands prix, but more teams. That's why we brought in General Motors with Cadillac," Ben Sulayem told French outlet Le Figaro. 

"A lot of people were against it, but I think it's a good decision for the sport."

When then pushed on the possibility of a 12th team joining the grid, Ben Sulayem explained that the Chinese market was a target. 

"Should we think in terms of quantity or quality? We need quality stables," he said. 

"It's been my dream for the last two years that the big countries should have a presence in Formula 1. 

"The United States will be with General Motors. The next step is to welcome a Chinese manufacturer. We already have a driver [in Ferrari reserve and ex-Stake driver, Zhou Guanyu]."