Mohammed Ben Sulayem believes that Andretti-Cadillac has the potential to become part of the Formula 1 grid by acquiring an existing team, similar to what Audi did. The discussion around Andretti-Cadillac’s failed attempt to join the grid as the 11th team for the 2026 season remains a hot topic. Despite facing opposition from the FIA President, the American constructor remains determined to achieve its goal of entering the sport.
Andretti-Cadillac presented compelling reasons for their inclusion as the 11th team on the grid. However, Formula 1 rejected their offer and it seemed unlikely that they would be reconsidered. However, in a surprising turn of events, Ben Sulayem suggested that Andretti should consider acquiring an existing team already on the grid instead of building a new one.
Furthermore, the 62-year-old did not hesitate to point out the unsatisfactory performance of some of the current teams on the grid. According to the FIA President, certain teams needed to improve their quality rather than just focusing on increasing the quantity of teams. Therefore, having a total of ten strong teams would be preferable to having 11 teams just for the sake of having more.
While the Haas F1 racing team represents the American presence on the current Formula 1 grid, Mohammed Ben Sulayem highlighted their performance decline. He emphasized the importance of an American team making a significant impact on the grid, especially after the three American races. Additionally, Ben Sulayem criticized Haas stating that Formula 1 currently lacks a truly “adequate” American team on the grid.
However, the possible entry of Ford with Red Bull and General Motors with Andretti brought satisfaction to the FIA chief. Ben Sulayem believes that increased American involvement would be a remarkable achievement for Formula 1. He also emphasized the importance of having the right team on the grid.
Despite these comments, Andretti’s dream of joining Formula 1 as the 11th team remains unshaken. The constructor recently opened its facility in Silverstone and has reached a similar number of employees to the Haas F1 team on the grid. As a result, the support and determination behind Andretti Cadillac are stronger than ever.
