Even since Manor left the Formula 1 grid at the end of the 2016 season, there have been only ten teams making up the grand prix grid over the last six seasons.
That will remain the case heading into 2023 and likely into the next few seasons too, but fans’ hopes of an expanded grid were raised this week when FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem announced the governing body would launch an expressions of interest process to assess potential new entries into Formula 1.
Andretti wasted no time in throwing their hat into the ring by announcing they would partner with GM brand Cadillac to launch a bid to enter Formula 1. While Andretti’s interest in wanting to join the world championship was widely known, a tie-up with an American brand like Cadillac appeared to only add further legitimacy to their campaign.
But Andretti are by no means the only party interested in joining the grid. Canadian billionaire Calvin Lo has spoken widely of his interest in establishing a new team in recent months, while businessman Salvatore Gandolfo and his Monaco Increase Management firm have been eyeing an attempt at joining Formula 1 since before the pandemic.
However, with interest in joining Formula 1 for the new power unit formula in 2026 at its highest level since four new teams were granted entries for the 2010 season, there are naturally those inside and outside Formula 1 who are concerned about the viability of any brand new teams who join the grid. Especially as all four new entries for 2010 either collapsed or failed to even make the grid entirely.
So should Formula 1 and the FIA only accept new entries from teams who already have an active racing pedigree in other series or forms of motorsport?
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Formula 1 is supposedly the pinnacle of motorsport. However, its history is filled with teams who were granted entries into the sport and struggled to even qualify for races, let alone race. Almost always, none of those teams ever get out of the doldrums and end up falling by the wayside.
If the FIA is serious about expanding the grid, then it needs to ensure that it will do with only with teams that have the resources, the experience and the calibre to compete at a competent level, let alone succeed. It’s no coincidence that Haas, the last new team to join Formula 1, remain on the grid after joining F1 with a history of success in North American motorsport.
With so many…
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