FIA President Open to Expanding F1 Grid Further – A 12th Team Could Join
FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem has expressed openness to expanding the Formula 1 grid beyond the recently approved 11th team, hinting at the possibility of a 12th team joining the sport in the future.
“Why Do We Have an Option for 12?” – Ben Sulayem
Last month, Formula One Management (FOM) reached an agreement in principle to allow Cadillac to enter as the 11th team, marking a shift in F1’s previous stance against grid expansion. According to Ben Sulayem, there’s no reason to stop at 11.
“It’s about doing the right thing,” he told Reuters. “So why do we have an option of 12 if we are going to say no, no, no? With me, it is very clear it is a win for everyone with the 11th team.”
F1 last featured 12 teams during the 2012 season, before HRT folded.
F1 Academy Expands Yas Marina Round
The F1 Academy will feature an additional race during its final round at Yas Marina this weekend. Originally scheduled as a double-header, the event will now consist of three races:
- Race 1: Saturday, 12:15 PM local time
- Race 2: Saturday, 8:15 PM local time
- Race 3: Sunday, 11:15 AM local time
Grid positions will be determined by a single qualifying session, with the fastest laps setting the order for each race. The extra race compensates for the cancellation of last weekend’s second race at Losail International Circuit due to barrier damage caused by another series.
Williams Promotes Alessandro Giusti to F3
Alessandro Giusti, a Williams junior driver, will move from the Formula Regional European Championship to Formula 3 in 2024. Giusti will join MP Motorsport, marking the next step in his racing career.
Additional Highlights
FIA Seeks Rule Changes Amid Allegations
The FIA is considering reforms to its ethics and audit oversight processes, aiming to ensure that ethics complaints are managed by the FIA president and senate president rather than solely by the senate.
Brands Leverage F1’s Growing Female Fanbase
The rising number of female F1 fans has created new commercial opportunities. Rimmel, for instance, partnered with F1 Arcade to promote its latest mascara, reflecting the sport’s evolving demographics.
Christian Mansell Reflects on Lusail Success
In his Formula 2 recap, Christian Mansell credited strategic decisions for his strong performance in Lusail:
“I got lucky with a Safety Car, there’s no denying, but I wouldn’t have been in that position if I didn’t box earlier. It’s a well-earned result from both sides.”
FIA Pushes for Sustainable Racing Fuel
The FIA has introduced the Sustainable Racing Fuel Assurance Scheme (SRFAS), a robust verification process ensuring F1’s racing fuel meets strict sustainability criteria. This initiative aligns with the sport’s goal to achieve 100% sustainable fuel certification.
With grid expansion, sustainability initiatives, and fanbase evolution, Formula 1 continues to grow on and off the track.
