Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has insisted that any prospective Formula 1 team must be able to “demonstrate” that they can add a substantial amount to the pinnacle of motorsport, with any new team needing the blessing effectively of “both F1 and the FIA”.
Whilst Andretti-Cadillac have received public support from FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem, the governing body has confirmed that current teams will be “given priority” over a potential new entry, meaning current teams can stop a new team from entering.
It comes after the FIA officially opened up two potential spots on the Formula 1 grid, with the governing body having revealed that they’re accepting applications.
The FIA’s expression of interest document reads: “For the avoidance of doubt, no new applicant has an automatic right of entry to the Championship and the maximum number of teams competing in the Championship up to and including the 2025 season is capped at 12.
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“Existing F1 teams will be given priority over new applicants. In the event that no applicant is considered suitable by the FIA and/or by the F1 Commercial Rights Holder, no new F1 team(s) will be selected.”
Whilst the FIA appear keen on two new teams from as soon as 2025, F1 bosses don’t appear as keen and have reminded the governing body that “relevant stakeholders” will get a say in if a side is eligible to join.
A statement from F1 bosses said: “There is great interest in the F1 project at this time with a number of conversations continuing that are not as visible as others. We all want to ensure the championship remains credible and stable and any new entrant request will be assessed on criteria to meet those objectives by all the relevant stakeholders.
“Any new entrant request requires the agreement of both F1 and the FIA.”
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Wolff is one of many team principals reportedly against a new team joining the grid due to the financial impact it could have, with a single new team meaning a “10-percent dilution for everybody else”.
“I mean, each of the organisations that’s sitting here on the podium has probably put more than a billion into the Formula One projects over the years, so it needs to be accretive,” Wolff said.
“If a team comes in, how can you demonstrate that you’re bringing in more money than it’s actually costing: because the 11th team means a 10 per cent dilution for everybody else.”