FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem claims F1 needs ‘more teams and fewer races’

F1 has gone through a plethora of changes in the recent years.

FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem claims F1 needs ‘more teams and fewer races’

Mohammed Ben Sulayem (Credits: Planet F1)

The FIA recently approved Andretti Global’s F1 bid. FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem believes that Formula 1, the pinnacle of motor racing, should have more teams and fewer races to progress further. Formula 1 is immensely popular worldwide.

In recent years, F1 has seen significant changes, both on and off the track. New regulations began in 2022 and will continue until 2025. Michael Andretti is eager for a grid slot, and with FIA approval, it’s challenging for F1 to decline a team’s request.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0bQQvzpmDoU

FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem recently discussed adding more teams to Formula 1 in the future. He believes that instead of turning down approved teams, the FIA should encourage original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to join. He envisions having 12 teams on the grid, including one from the US with an OEM, power unit, and driver.

FS Video

“If you ask me,What is my dream? It is to fill up the 12 [team slots] and to have one US team from an OEM. Also, a [power unit] and a driver from there. Finally, then go to China and ask for the same thing. Do it over there,” Ben Sulayem said.

Also read: FIFA President Gianni SPOTTED with F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali at the Qatar Grand Prix

F1 is locked in for a minimum of 24 races until 2026

While Mohammed Ben Sulayem has indicated that it would be beneficial for F1 to have more teams rather than the number of races, the fact of the matter is that the sport will have a minimum of 24 races at least until the end of 2025. Several drivers have previously spoken about how difficult it is for a team to go racing 24 times in a year.

Formula 1 (Credits: Mercedes AMG PETRONAS)
Formula 1 (Credits: Mercedes AMG PETRONAS)

The 2023 season was also slated to have 24 events but because of what happened in Imola, the ongoing campaign has got 23 events. 18 of these are already done and only five are remaining. As per several drivers, the logistical part of the job gets very difficult when the number of F1 races is increased, they feel it is very hard, especially for the engineers.

In the name of evolution, the pinnacle of motor racing has gone through substantial changes, and with the prospect of having another team on the F1 grid looming large over the sport, the upcoming months and the next year are going to be pivotal. Andretti Global is expected to make its debut in F1 by the start of the 2025 campaign.

Discover more: