P1racenews AI automatic summary:
FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem has revealed his desire for a Chinese manufacturer to join Formula 1 with a 12th team.
In November 2024, F1 and Cadillac reached an agreement for Cadillac to join the grid as the 11th team in 2026, concluding a saga that began with Michael Andretti’s initial F1 team venture. Originally launched by Andretti, the bid was later rebranded as General Motors’ official Cadillac entry after Andretti failed to secure terms with Formula One Management. FIA President Ben Sulayem expressed his desire for major countries to have F1 presence, welcoming General Motors and aiming for a Chinese manufacturer to follow. With China’s vast automotive market and growing interest in F1, the entry of a Chinese marque, like Geely, would align well with F1’s global expansion efforts. Additionally, former Alpine Team Principal Otmar Szafnauer disclosed plans of collaborating with American funders and car manufacturers to potentially introduce a 12th team in the future.
