FIA President opens door to 12th F1 team, but only on FIA terms

FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem has opened the door to Formula 1 adding a 12th team, while making clear that any prospective entrant must accept the championship’s regulations and conditions.

The FIA president originally prompted an expression of interest process in early 2023 for an 11th team, despite opposition from several existing outfits. Cadillac ultimately became the sole successful candidate and joined the grid at the start of 2026.

Since then, Chinese manufacturer BYD has been linked with the possibility of pursuing a new entry. Unlike Audi, which acquired Sauber, BYD does not want to take over an existing team. That means a standalone project would require the FIA to reopen its selection process.

A manufacturer, not simply another team

Ben Sulayem stressed that the priority is not to increase the number of cars for its own sake. “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,” he said.

He pointed to Formula 1’s three races in America, Haas and the need for an original equipment manufacturer. He added that both Formula One Management and the FIA agreed that a Chinese manufacturer could fill that role.

BYD and Geely were among the manufacturers he said had expressed interest. However, Ben Sulayem rejected the idea that future regulations could be shaped around one country’s automotive industry.

“The regulations have to stay permanent, and it has to keep stability in it,” he said. While acknowledging China’s lead in electrification, he argued that cleaner air could be pursued through several technologies, including hydrogen, hybrid systems, electrification and sustainable fuel.

Entry conditions remain non-negotiable

Ben Sulayem said he had encouraged BYD to begin by taking over a team, but the manufacturer wanted to create its own operation. His response was direct: “Come back with a serious offer that we can see that it’s going to work.”

He also highlighted Formula 1’s race in China, the country’s technology and its previous Chinese driver, Zhou Guanyu. Those advantages, however, would not override the FIA’s framework. Any new project would have to join “on our terms and our regulations”, which Ben Sulayem described as essential to fairness.

With F1 currently set to move towards V8 engines from 2031, that period could provide a logical entry point for a new manufacturer — provided it can present a credible offer within the established rules.