At the beginning of this year, the FIA had invited potential new teams to express their interest in joining the Formula 1 grid as early as 2025.
The evaluation process for the applications is ongoing, and several teams, including Andretti-Cadillac, Hitech, Craig Pollock’s Formula Equal, and LKY SUNZ, have made their ambitions public.
Other teams, including Rodin Carlin and an Asian outfit, have also been linked to potential applications for Formula 1.
However, the decision to expand the F1 starting grid has not been well-received in the paddock, with F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali skeptical about the need to increase the number of entries beyond the current 10 teams. Additionally, rival teams themselves are not enthusiastic about the prospect of having more cars on the grid.
The teams have publicly questioned the commercial implications related to the need to share their revenues with other teams, as well as the logistical issues related to the number of available pit boxes.
Nevertheless, Ben Sulayem is not deterred by doubts about new entries and believes that he and the FIA have done the right thing by seeking to have more cars on the starting grid. Speaking exclusively to Motorsport-Total.com, the sister site of Motorsport.com, Ben Sulayem stated: “We have a contract, and our contract allows for a maximum of 12 teams. So, we are not breaking any rules. On the contrary, we are respecting the rules.”
“The FIA, as the governing body, has to look at all requests, and we have done that. The expression of interest was the right thing to do. I know some teams are not happy, because I see the financial impact it would have on them.” – he pointed out.
“It is about adding a new team or purchasing an existing squad? It is not for me to impose on the big teams. But what we need to do is respect the process, the financial and technical due diligence.”
Delayed deadline
The original deadline for the evaluation of the applications was the end of June, but the term has been pushed back because the FIA wants to ensure a thorough analysis of all the candidates.
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It is possible that the decision will come shortly after the summer break of Formula 1. “We extended the deadline because some teams asked for a little more time,” Ben Sulayem added.
“We must be flexible. We haven’t finished yet because we need to be very careful in making a decision. It is an important process, and I don’t like to be hasty because the decision must be very, very clear.”
When asked about the waiting time for a decision, the President of the FIA replied: “Not [too] far away. I think between four and six weeks. We have to do things properly. We are talking about significant investments. We just have to wait for the next six weeks to see what the plan is. I have no doubt that the FOM will make the right decision. They know what is best to do.”
Ben Sulayem stated that between five and six requests have been submitted, of which “three or four” are “very serious.”
Legal threat
As the FIA approaches the decision on new teams, the stakes are incredibly high.
One scenario that could occur is that one or two of the new squads receive approval for their technical capability to enter Formula 1 but do not gain entry because an agreeable commercial deal cannot be reached to satisfy the FOM and the current teams.
A critical factor for the approval of a new team is the level of the anti-dilution fee that should be paid to the other teams to compensate them for the potential loss of revenue from commercial rights.
Currently, the Concorde Agreement sets the amount at 200 million dollars, but it is speculated that in the future, this figure will be increased up to three times as much.
If one of the interested new F1 teams were to be rejected at this late stage, it could open the door to potential legal actions, which Ben Sulayem admits is possible.
“And if one of the candidate teams takes us to court? They can do it if we say no. It’s not about me. I’m just applying the rules,” Sulayem said.
Not enough space
One of the practical problems that emerged regarding the new teams is that many of the current F1 circuits do not have sufficient garages to accommodate them.
It has also been suggested that there might be safety issues in the qualifying session if there were more than 20 cars on track simultaneously.
However, Ben Sulayem has denied these suggestions, stating that the presence of the Apple F1 movie with Brad Pitt, which has its own garage at some races, demonstrates that it is possible.
“We are already managing an 11th team thanks to Hollywood. And the tracks have improved. The FIA is always present with the circuits and constantly seeks ways to improve.”
When asked if the current circuits were large enough, Ben Sulayem replied: “One hundred percent. Whether it’s 10, 11, or 12 [teams], they must be compliant. Our commission will always be present and will verify the entire process.”
“And you can’t have a regulation that satisfies everyone. At the end of the day, if you ask me about the PU [regulation for 2026], was everyone happy? No, but in the end, it was approved. Everyone signed, and consequently, even the new teams.” – he added.
“I cannot break the rules. I don’t want to give ideas to anyone, but if there is a request and we have enough space to accommodate it, we must consider it.” – the FIA president concluded.
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