The FIA has officially announced the launch of an application process for potential new teams to enter the sport as early as 2025
After Mohammed Ben Sulayem announced last month that he wanted the governing body to open an ‘expression of interest’ with regards to any potential new entrants, the FIA has officially revealed its intention to identify “one or more new F1 teams” to begin competing from the start of either the 2025, 2026 or 2027 seasons.
There has been much talk of an Andretti/General Motors entry bid under the Cadillac name, however this was met with a ‘lukewarm reaction from F1 and the teams who fear the $200m anti- dilution fee new entrants must pay is not enough to offset the loss in commercial rights income.
However, the governing body has pushed forward with their intent to get new teams onto the grid.
The FIA said in a statement today: “The FIA welcomes interest from entities with a serious intent to enter the FIA Formula One World Championship. The high level of interest from a number of potential candidates is further proof of the popularity and growth of the Championship.”
All applicants will have to undergo “thorough due diligence” with the technical capabilities, resources and how the team will be raising and maintaining sufficient funds all being assessed.
Furthermore, the FIA stated that any new candidates are required to “address how it would manage the sustainability challenge and how it plans to achieve a net-zero CO2 impact by 2030” along with how they would “intend to achieve a positive societal impact through its participation in the sport.”
It is also said that “the overall long-term interest of the Championship, involving all stakeholders, will determine which candidates are selected together with the applicable regulations and governance arrangements.”
Mohammed Ben Sulayem comments
The president of the governing body said in a statement: “The growth and appeal of the FIA Formula One World Championship is at unprecedented levels. The FIA believes the conditions are right for interested parties, which meet the selection criteria, to express a formal interest in entering the Championship.
He added: “The process is a logical extension of the positive acceptance of the FIA’s 2026 F1 Power Unit Regulations from engine manufacturers which has attracted Audi to Formula 1 and created interest among other potential entrants”
It is believed that along with Andretti Global partnering with General Motors, there are other potential candidates that are interested in an entry that have expressed their desire in a much quieter way.