The Cadillac Formula 1 team is set to make its debut on the grid in 2026. Since this news broke, there has been much discussion about the potential arrival of a twelfth racing stable. Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali states that logistically, there is no room for more participants, despite the rules allowing up to 26 cars. FIA Chairman Ben Sulayem, on the other hand, is in favor of a twelfth team; he emphasizes the difference between commercial and sporting interests.
“We need to be careful,” he responded to the media present. “We only consider very serious candidacies. In fact, I think we’ve reached a point where there is no more room – logistically, we’re at the limit. I also see great interest from investors wanting to buy existing teams. This increases the financial interest in Formula 1. We notice this directly, as we receive many requests, and the same goes for the teams. But precisely because things are going so well, we need to be careful and protect what we have built.”
Cadillac and Andretti Team
This is precisely why Domenicali and the FOM previously refused the entry of an Andretti team. “When we received their application, we responded negatively,” said the Italian. “Not because Andretti wasn’t good, quite the contrary. Mario is a legend, an icon of the sport, and also a good friend. We just didn’t see the added value. That changed when General Motors got involved. We saw a serious investment with a ten-year plan. That immediately excited us, because we believe this project is valuable for the sport. We’re already noticing it; General Motors is investing heavily in the American market to promote their new team, and that immediately benefits us.”
While Domenicali sees little room for the arrival of a twelfth team, Mohammed Ben Sulayem continues to hope for new participants. “My dear Stefano is on the commercial side, I’m on the sporting side,” said the Emirati to the Swedish Expressen. “He is the CEO of a company and I understand that he has to think about the financial side. And more teams mean more people wanting a piece of the same pie. Do we need another team? No. But the right team can make a difference. It’s not about quantity, but about quality. Moreover, a twelfth team could make things very interesting.”
