Expansion on the horizon: Formula 1 to potentially welcome 12th team amidst Cadillac's entry
In a forward-reaching statement at the Qatar Grand Prix, FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem confirmed that Formula 1 could soon host 12 teams, following Cadillac’s integration as the 11th team slated for 2026. This expansion aligns with the sport's regulatory framework, which has always allowed for up to 12 teams, but faced resistance from the commercial rights holder Liberty Media and other teams until a recent agreement was brokered.
“Why not?” questioned Ben Sulayem, indicating a pragmatic approach towards expansion. “It's about doing the right thing. So why do we have an option of 12 if we are going to say no, no, no? With me, it is very clear it is a win for everyone with the 11th team."
Cadillac, a strong American marque under General Motors, announced an agreement in principle with F1 last week, further bolstering their involvement by registering as a power unit manufacturer with intentions of becoming a comprehensive works outfit by the decade's end. This shift represented a strategic repositioning from an initial bid presented as Andretti, which Formula 1 doubted for lacking competitive edge and value.
The landscape altered significantly after the U.S. House of Representatives Judiciary Committee initiated an inquiry into potential "anticompetitive conduct," which shifted the stakes. “I had a meeting with them, and I was questioned,” Ben Sulayem noted. “I have nothing to hide. I'm an elected president, you know... based on governance, democracy, and transparency. So we did what the FIA did. And I am proud of what the team did.”
This agreement marks a significant victory for the sport, underscored by Ben Sulayem's admission of having been "sent to hell" and back over the controversial sanctioning of the Andretti bid. Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali had explicitly emphasized the necessity of bringing an OEM (original equipment manufacturer) into the fold, rather than just an additional team: “He said, 'We need an OEM, not just an extra team.’ So they disappeared for a few months and they came back with an OEM.”
The future of F1 continues to glow brightly as it gains traction in the Middle East, reveling in an influx of younger, female fans—a demographic that has seen a remarkable 11% growth in Saudi Arabia, according to Nielsen Sports. This rise accompanies the region's active F1 calendar, featuring four races—one more than the United States. On global scales, the sport is seeing new brands and sponsor categories drawn to the evolving fan base, signifying a sustainable and vibrant future.
As the season concludes this weekend at Abu Dhabi's Yas Marina, where McLaren and Ferrari vie for the constructors' title, the anticipation and excitement couldn't be higher, both on and off the track. Formula 1, under its current leaders, is racing not just towards finish lines but towards a broader, more inclusive horizon.
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