FIA opens application round for new F1 teams

The FIA has opened a procedure for signing up new Formula 1 teams. The organisation announced this via a press release. This round is specifically aimed at admitting up to two new teams.

Parties newly applying can choose whether to participate from 2025, 2026 or 2027. Assessment of candidates is based on the participants' long-term plans and how well they fit within current regulations. Eight criteria are also maintained, including the technological resources teams bring with them and the financial stability of candidates. For the first time, candidates will also be tested on their plans to reduce the sport's carbon emissions.

Besides the FIA, Formula 1 and rights holder Liberty Media can also set requirements for new entrants. So this means that even if the FIA agrees, new entrants can still be barred. The FIA also stresses that there is a hard limit of 12 teams. So should there be more applicants, teams will have to drop out. Teams already on the grid obviously have preference over new entries.

Among the likely candidates is the much-discussed Andretti-Cadillac collaboration. The Asian Panthera team also announced its interest and Hong Kong billionaire Calvin Lo has spoken about his plans as well. Andretti's announcement generated quite a bit of resistance from Formula 1, but FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem constantly stressed that the sport has plenty of room for new entrants.