FIA President keeps door open for 12th F1 team with Cadillac joining grid in 2026

Formula One may expand to include 12 teams, following the acceptance of General Motors' Cadillac as the 11th team starting in 2026, as stated by FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem.

The regulations of Formula One have always allowed for a maximum of 12 teams; however, there was significant resistance from commercial rights holder Liberty Media and existing teams against increasing the number beyond 10 until a consensus was achieved.

When asked if he would support filling the final slot, Ben Sulayem responded to Reuters at the Qatar Grand Prix, "Why not? It is essential to make the right decision. If we have the option for 12 teams, why should we decline?"

He emphasized that the inclusion of the 11th team represents a collective benefit for all stakeholders involved.

Cadillac recently announced a preliminary agreement with Formula One, while General Motors has registered with the FIA as a power unit manufacturer, aiming to establish a full works team by the end of the decade.

Earlier this year, Formula One expressed skepticism regarding the competitiveness and value of the initial bid, which was presented under the Andretti name. However, the situation shifted when the proposal was restructured to emphasize a manufacturer-led approach, with Michael Andretti stepping back.

The investigation initiated by the US House of Representatives Judiciary Committee into potential "anticompetitive conduct" also influenced the situation.

Ben Sulayem regarded the agreement as a significant milestone for the sport, noting the challenges he faced after the FIA approved the Andretti bid last year and forwarded it to Formula One for evaluation.

He acknowledged that the US inquiry had an impact on the final decision, stating, "I met with them and answered their questions. I have nothing to conceal.

As an elected president, I operate on principles of governance, democracy, and transparency. We acted in accordance with the FIA's directives, and I take pride in our team's efforts."

Ben Sulayem clarified that the focus of the bid was on quality rather than quantity, emphasizing the importance of securing General Motors as a full manufacturer rather than solely on the Andretti name, a sentiment echoed by Formula One CEO Stefano Domenicali.

The Emirati stated, "He emphasized the necessity of having an OEM (manufacturer) rather than merely an additional team." Consequently, they were absent for several months before returning with an OEM.

Ben Sulayem noted that Formula One subsequently raised concerns regarding the power unit. "They proposed a power unit, fulfilling the necessary criteria. At that point, we could no longer refuse their request."

Andretti was the only candidate advanced for commercial negotiations with Formula One from the four that progressed to the second stage of the process last year.

Among the unsuccessful applicants were Rodin Cars from New Zealand, which had pledged to reserve a seat for a female driver, and a Hitech team supported by Kazakh billionaire Vladimir Kim.

Oliver Oakes, the head of Hitech, is now the principal of the Renault-owned Alpine F1 team.

SportsLigue