F1 has “no more room” for new teams after Cadillac 2026 entry

Formula 1 has “no more room” to welcome a 12th team in the paddock, its CEO Stefano Domenicali has warned.

The new Cadillac outfit will become F1’s 11th squad in 2026 after a years-long vetting process, benefitting from automotive giant General Motors’ backing and, eventually, engines; it will use Ferrari powertrains until GM produces its own from 2029 onwards.

This will be the first time the F1 grid features 22 cars since the 2016 season, when the new Haas team made its debut and the Manor squad sang its swan song.

Race tracks do have space for more cars – F3 has 30 single-seaters lining up on the same grids – but F1 will have to squeeze its on-site facilities to accommodate Cadillac, and Domenicali is not keen to cram 12 teams into confined, inflexible spaces like the Monaco paddock and pitlane. Instead, he says buying an existing team is the best way for interested parties to join the F1 grid.

“We have to be cautious,” the Italian warned. “We’ll only evaluate a bid of great significance because I think we’re already at a point with no more room – logistically we’re at the limit.

F3 does have 30-car grids, but F1 has other issues

Photo by: Formula Motorsport Ltd

“I see great interest from funds and investors looking to buy current franchises – let’s call them that – because a team’s value is growing exponentially, and therefore financial interest in investing in F1 is also increasing. We see it first-hand because we receive many enquiries, and the same happens to the teams. But precisely because things are going well, we must be prudent and protect the value of what we’ve built.”

Domenicali also reflected on Andretti’s F1 bid, which was approved by the FIA in October 2023 but rejected by F1 in January 2024 because the championship did not believe Andretti would be competitive, despite its links to General Motors; in the end, Michael Andretti took a step back, and the renamed Cadillac entry was accepted.

“We’ve always said it was fundamental for us [Liberty Media] to have a quality project on the table to evaluate in the medium and long term,” Domenicali said.

“When we received the Andretti project, our view was negative – not because Andretti wasn’t good. Mario is a legend, an icon of this sport, and a friend. We simply didn’t see the substance behind the project that we consider necessary.

“Things changed when General Motors came in. We saw significant investment with a 10-year plan and immediately spoke favourably because we believe in this case the project can bring added value to the system. We’re already seeing it now – they’re investing in the US market to promote their new initiative, so that guarantees a benefit.”