The desire for a 12th team in Formula 1 for the FIA and more race directors

In pursuit of a 12th team

Formula 1 is preparing to welcome an eleventh team with Cadillac’s arrival in 2026. But the FIA president, Mohammed Ben Sulayem, is aiming to add a twelfth team to the starting grid. He is targeting China for this possible twelfth team.

It is important to note that the term of the FIA president will end this year for Mohammed Ben Sulayem. The current president is therefore launching a re-election campaign this year for a second four-year term. If the FIA had granted Andretti permission to enter Formula 1 last year, Formula 1, through Liberty Media, opposed it.

F1 has finally accepted the entry of an 11th team by taking over the management of the case and putting the FIA in its place. But this opposition now seems to continue with the FIA’s desire to introduce a 12th team.

The opening of the membership process for new teams, initiated in January 2023 by Mr. Ben Sulayem, is part of the current Concorde Agreement, which allows for up to 13 teams, or 26 cars on the grid.

The possible arrival of a Chinese team, even if not yet confirmed, presents opportunities for the future of Formula 1 and its development in countries where the potential is still significant.

The arrival of the 11th team initially aroused reluctance from the teams already present, fearing a dilution of their income. Indeed, for the same profit, the pie would now have to be shared among 11, losing more or less 10% of their income depending on the team.

However, the president of the FIA defended his position, stating that he prefers a greater number of teams but with a potentially reduced number of Grand Prix. « 20 races were enough, and from the start, I thought there should be fewer Grand Prix but more teams. Many people were against it, but I think it’s a good decision for the sport », he said.

Liberty Media owns Formula 1 and the American group’s objective is, of course, to increase its revenue, whereas the FIA’s goal is to ensure a safe and attractive sport. More Grand Prix mean more revenue for F1, but not necessarily for the FIA, which then has to hire more staff and travel more. Conversely, more teams mean less revenue for F1 but more revenue for the FIA, which charges entry fees per driver and entrant.

The introduction of Cadillac by General Motors represents a breakthrough for Formula 1, consolidating its presence in the United States, a country that Liberty Media has been trying to win over for several years. Mr. Ben Sulayem sees the addition of a Chinese manufacturer as the logical next step. « The United States will be with General Motors. The next step is to welcome a Chinese manufacturer. We already have a driver [Zhou Guanyu] », he added.

In Search of Race Directors

Mohammed Ben Sulayem started 2025 in the same way as the previous year. True to his positions on issues such as the language of drivers, he recently announced the upcoming introduction of new race directors in Formula 1.

During the stewards’ summit in Jarama, Mr. Ben Sulayem confirmed this new development. Who and how many there will be, it’s an answer we will know soon, in the coming days. But there will certainly be fresh blood and there will be more than one, for sure, he said.

This announcement follows a tumultuous 2024, during which the FIA president alienated part of the paddock and the drivers. The appointment of new race directors could be a response to the requests for greater transparency in decision-making at the arbitration level, expressed by the paddock during the previous season.

However, a contradiction has appeared. Ben Sulayem seems to have forgotten the recently updated FIA organizational chart, which confirms Rui Marques as the sole race director, succeeding Niels Wittich. Claire Dubbelman is designated as the replacement in case of Mr. Marques’ unavailability. This composition contrasts sharply with the announcement made by the president about the imminent hiring of several new race directors.

Waiting a few weeks for the final decision remains.