Ben Sulayem: 100% sure FOM will approve a 12th Formula 1 team

Despite the hullabaloo and hard resistance from F1 teams, and even FOM to a certain degree to keep the paddock limited to ten teams, it finally came to pass for next year's Cadillac foray. However FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem declared that a 12th team with the right credentials has a chance to fill that final spot allowed by the rules.

Speaking to reporters at Silverstone, Ben Sulayem told them: "I still feel we need more teams than races. The drivers are coming to me and saying, 'Please, no more races'.

"When we opened the Expression of Interest [in 2023], what was the outcome based on? Due process, competency framework, and without looking at which company it was, as long as it fulfilled the requirements of the FIA."

"We have an 11th team. I believe we should look into the performance of the 11th team, and then, if there is a Chinese [bid], and I will speak on behalf of FOM now in front of you, they will agree to that, because it is about sustaining the business."

The FIA Chief continued: "If there is a team from China, let's say, and FOM approved it, and I am 100 per cent sure they will approve it, wouldn't it make more money with China coming in? I believe, yes. Do we have to fill up [the grid] with a 12th team for the sake of filling up [the grid] with a 12th team? No. It will be the right team."

Ben Sulayem confirmed that since the initial Expression of Interest process began two and a half years ago with the Andretti Global bid, the conditions of entry have been tightened further, claiming that lessons were learned: "The time will come when we feel it right to open an Expression of Interest.

"We are not here to upset the other teams, but it won't be just for the sake of doing it. It has to be worth it. "For us, a [12th] team has to add value to sustaining the business of Formula 1, and the business of Formula 1 is not about the income, it's about the longevity of the championship itself."

The year Formula 1 had the most teams participating was 1989. Up to 39 cars (over 20 teams) were entered for some races, though only 26 were allowed to start. Also known as the 'pre-Qualifying' era of the sport.