FIA begins the early stages of F1 grid expansion

Charles Leclerc
Charles Leclerc

FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem has given the biggest indicator yet that the FIA wants to expand the Formula 1 grid.

In a tweet on Monday, Ben Sulayem said he had asked his team at the FIA to “look at launching an Expressions of Interest process” to join the F1 World Championship.

The news is positive for the Andretti Autosport group, who have been making noises about joining F1 for several months.

And while it is a step in the right direction with regard to opening up the grid, there is still a long way to go before any formal applications can be made and even then, there is still the $200m “buy-in” to be paid to the current competitors.

Andretti, who attempted to buy into the Alfa Romeo-Sauber team, has been steadfast in their claims that they are ready to join the F1 grid, with double F1 World Champion Mario Andretti, and father of Andretti Autosport owner Michael, going as far as to say the team is ready to pay the $200m.

It is believed however that F1’s stakeholders are chasing the names of manufacturers following the announcement of Audi joining in 2026.

Avoiding the 2010 mistakes

F1 and the FIA will be keen to avoid a repeat of 2010, when three new teams joined the grid, Virgin Racing, Lotus and HRT, which took the grid up to 24 cars, after Toyota had pulled out in 2009.

All three teams were woefully uncompetitive and struggled financially, with the trio all defunct by 2017.

Since Manor’s demise at the end of 2016, the F1 grid has consisted of 20 cars.

The last team to join the F1 grid was Haas, who debuted in 2016 but have yet to score a podium, though the team did claim their first pole in Brazil with Kevin Magnussen in 2022.

In 2020 the prize money allocation was reworked to give a more even spread of the prize money, which should help all teams remain competitive.

However, were an 11th or 12th team join the grid, that spread would become more diluted, which is why the $200m fee for new entries has been put in place and a waiver would require all 10 teams to agree.

More in News

MONTE-CARLO, MONACO - MAY 27: Pole position qualifier Max Verstappen of the Netherlands and Oracle Red Bull Racing and Second placed qualifier Fernando Alonso of Spain and Aston Martin F1 Team talk in parc ferme during qualifying ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Monaco at Circuit de Monaco on May 27, 2023 in Monte-Carlo, Monaco. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images) // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool // SI202305270377 // Usage for editorial use only //

Max Verstappen Snatches Dramatic Monaco Pole

Max Verstappen has snatched a last-gasp pole position at the ...
2023 Monaco Grand Prix, Friday - Lewis Hamilton

Lewis Hamilton Desperate For Strong Monaco Result

Toto Wolff has insisted he would dread the seven-time world ...
MONTE-CARLO, MONACO - MAY 26: Max Verstappen of the Netherlands driving the (1) Oracle Red Bull Racing RB19 on track during practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Monaco at Circuit de Monaco on May 26, 2023 in Monte-Carlo, Monaco. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images) // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool // SI202305261052 // Usage for editorial use only //

Max Verstappen Fights Back, Fastest In Monaco FP2

Max Verstappen set the pace in the second free practice ...
Ferrari's Flying In Monaco Free Practice

Ferrari’s Flying In Monaco Free Practice

Friday at the Monaco Grand Prix saw Scuderia Ferrari drivers ...
Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Amr23

Fernando Alonso Off To A Fast Start In Monaco

Fernando Alonso got off to a fast start in Monaco, ...

Trending on F1 Chronicle