Already a 12th team on the way? FIA President Ben Sulayem reveals conversations

10:53, 13 Jul

Updated: 11:11, 13 Jul

byOlly Darcy

FIA president has said that there have been conversations to bring in a Chinese team to Formula 1, but only if "it will be the right team".

In February 2025, the Emirati spoke about the potential to add another team to the pinnacle of motorposrt after Cadillac and General Motors had their bid accepted to join the grid for the 2026 season.

"The next step is to welcome a Chinese manufacturer," said the president in February, with Geely being linked as the favourite to do so, also having Zhou Guanyu as an ambassador for the brand.

Now, these talks to be ramping up, as Ben Sulayem now says talsk with a manufactuer have been had to bring the biggest automotive region to the world of F1.

Ben Sulayem positive on bringing in a 12th team

“Talks. I still feel that we need more teams [rather] than more races. If there is a Chinese [bid] I will speak on behalf of FOM [Formula One Management] now, in front of you, they will agree on that because it is good for business," Ben Sulayem explained.

“Think of the long term. If there is another team from China, they [will] approve it, 100 per cent they will approve it. Wouldn’t it make more money with China coming in? I believe [so], yes. Do we have to fill up another 12th team for the sake of filling up that 12th team? No, it will be the right team.”

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No official bid for a 12th team has come through for the FIA or FOM to consider, but a North American consortium of investors, advised by former Alpine team principal Otmar Szafnauer, has also shown interest in joining the grid.

“I am here as a sportsman and I’d like to keep the spirit of the sport,” continued the Emirati. “Of course, they will have to say, ‘Oh, it’s a piece of cake, and now it’s been divided into 11.’ Yes, I see the point. But the revenue is getting bigger.”