FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem has signalled his help for a possible twelfth workforce to hitch the grid – and pointed in the direction of China as a potential market.
The F1 grid is ready to develop to 11 groups in 2026 after Cadillac obtained the inexperienced mild to enter with a Common Motors-backed bid after the preliminary Andretti software had been rejected by FOM on business issues.
Ben Sulayem had opened the Expression of Curiosity programme to start the method of latest groups doubtlessly becoming a member of in January 2023, with the present Concorde Settlement permitting for 13 groups – or 26 vehicles.
It’s at present being re-negotiated with the present Concorde set to run out on the finish of 2025, having launched the associated fee cap to F1 for 2021.
Present groups had been in opposition to the introduction of a brand new outfit, believing it could dilute their monetary stability, with the grid final having 12 groups in 2012 earlier than HRT folded.
Ben Sulayem, who faces a re-election bid later this yr for his second four-year time period in workplace, believes China is a key market to probe for a twelfth workforce.
“20 races was sufficient, and from the outset, I’ve thought that we want fewer grands prix, however extra groups. That is why we introduced in Common Motors with Cadillac,” Ben Sulayem instructed French outlet Le Figaro.
“Lots of people had been in opposition to it, however I believe it is a good resolution for the game.”
When then pushed on the opportunity of a twelfth workforce becoming a member of the grid, Ben Sulayem defined that the Chinese language market was a goal.
“Ought to we predict when it comes to amount or high quality? We’d like high quality stables,” he stated.
“It has been my dream for the final two years that the large nations ought to have a presence in Formulation 1.
“America will likely be with Common Motors. The subsequent step is to welcome a Chinese language producer. We have already got a driver [in Ferrari reserve and ex-Stake driver, Zhou Guanyu].”
