Formula 1 could eventually expand to a 12th team, with FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem confirming discussions with Chinese manufacturers BYD and Geely. However, any new entry would have to meet the championship’s existing conditions, with Ben Sulayem making clear that the governing body is interested not simply in adding another competitor, but in finding the right manufacturer for the grid.
The possibility remains open after Formula 1 expanded to 11 teams with Cadillac in 2026. The FIA had previously launched an expression-of-interest process despite resistance from several existing teams, with Cadillac ultimately emerging as the candidate selected to join the championship.
Attention has since turned towards whether a Chinese manufacturer such as BYD could pursue its own Formula 1 project rather than acquiring an existing operation. Such a move would require the FIA to open another selection process, and while speaking at the New Economy Forum in Madrid, Ben Sulayem indicated that the governing body would be prepared to consider doing so for the right manufacturer.
Mohammed Ben Sulayem explains what F1 wants from a 12th team
The FIA president explained that opening the grid to a 12th team remains possible, but stressed that expansion alone is not the objective.
“The FIA can open for a 12th team. But, ‘Do we need a team, Mr President?’ No, we don’t need a team, we need the team,” Mohammed Ben Sulayem said.
He then pointed to Formula 1’s presence in the United States and the country’s representation on the grid, arguing that a Chinese manufacturer could provide the championship with another important automotive presence.
“Now we have three races in the United States, and we have a manufacturer, we have Haas. So I said, and also the promoter, F1, agrees that we need the team, and the team has to come from China.”
The discussion comes as Formula 1 continues through its first season with 11 teams. Fans can follow the full schedule and remaining rounds through the 2026 Formula 1 calendar.
FIA held meetings with BYD and Geely over Formula 1
Mohammed Ben Sulayem revealed that he has held meetings with several manufacturers, specifically naming BYD and Geely, which expressed an interest in joining Formula 1.
“I had meetings with them and they came to say that they needed to come in. One of them was BYD and another one was Geely. And we said, ‘Fine, we will open the expression of interest if you come.’”
The FIA president also disclosed that he initially suggested BYD could acquire an existing Formula 1 operation as its route onto the grid. The Chinese manufacturer, however, indicated that it wanted to create a team of its own.
“When I had my meetings I was very, very clear. Why don’t you take a team to start with – I was talking to BYD; why should I be secretive about it? – and they said, ‘No, we want our own team.’”
Ben Sulayem’s response was equally clear: “Fine. Then come back with a serious offer that allows us to see that it will work. And these are our regulations. I was very clear with them about the regulations.”
FIA says F1 regulations will not be changed for Chinese manufacturers
One of the key conditions concerns Formula 1’s technical framework. Mohammed Ben Sulayem insisted that the championship’s regulations would not be reshaped specifically to accommodate the priorities of Chinese manufacturers.
“The regulations will not be influenced only by the Chinese manufacturers. We cannot do that. The regulations have to remain permanent and they have to maintain stability.”
China has become a global leader in electrification, but the FIA president argued that electric technology represents only one possible route towards motorsport’s broader environmental objectives.
“I know the Chinese are leaders in electrification, but is that the only way to achieve our electrification target? What are we looking for? We are looking for a clean environment and clean air. So there are many ways of getting there. Now we are opening up to hydrogen, hybrid, electrification for the World Rally Championship in the future and sustainable fuels.”
That distinction could become increasingly significant as Formula 1 considers its longer-term power-unit direction beyond the regulations introduced in 2026. The expected move towards V8 engines from 2031 could provide a natural entry point for manufacturers considering a future Formula 1 programme.
A Chinese F1 team would have to enter on the FIA’s terms
Mohammed Ben Sulayem also highlighted the commercial and technological importance of China to Formula 1. The country already hosts a Grand Prix, has previously been represented by a Chinese driver and possesses a major automotive and technology industry.
“We have a race in China. It’s huge. The manufacturers, we have also had a Chinese driver and the Chinese technology is there. But it has to happen on our terms and with our regulations, which are fair for everyone. Because that is also the FIA’s responsibility.”
For now, the comments do not amount to confirmation of a 12th Formula 1 team. Rather, they establish the conditions under which the FIA would be prepared to consider another expression-of-interest process: a credible manufacturer-backed project capable of satisfying the same regulatory framework applied across the championship.
The prospect of another manufacturer joining would also add a new dimension to the competitive landscape involving Ferrari and its current rivals. The performance of the Italian team against Mercedes, McLaren and Red Bull can be explored through the Ferrari vs F1 Rivals statistics.
With Cadillac already expanding the grid in 2026, the next step would depend on whether a manufacturer such as BYD or Geely turns the discussions revealed by Mohammed Ben Sulayem into a sufficiently serious proposal. The FIA president’s position is that the door remains open, but only for a project considered valuable enough to justify Formula 1 expanding again.
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