Fresh off General Motors’ historic entry into Formula 1 with Cadillac for the 2026 season, FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem is setting his sights on an even bigger expansion goal: bringing a major Chinese car manufacturer onto the F1 grid.
With the U.S. market now secured with GM’s impending arrival, China remains the last missing piece in F1’s global dominance puzzle.
“The Next Step Is China” – Ben Sulayem’s Vision for F1’s Future
🚗 F1 has lacked major carmakers from two of the biggest auto markets—China and the U.S. While Haas represents the U.S., it is not an automaker, making GM’s Cadillac-backed Andretti project a major breakthrough.
💬 “For two years I have been dreaming that large countries are present in Formula 1,” Ben Sulayem stated.
🔹 Now that GM is locked in, his focus shifts to China. The country already has a driver in Zhou Guanyu, who is switching to a reserve role at Scuderia Ferrari this season. But F1 still lacks a homegrown manufacturer.
💬 “The United States will be there with General Motors, and the next step will be to welcome a Chinese producer. The pilot is already there.”
Why China? The Logic Behind the Move
🌏 China is the world’s largest auto market, producing over 26 million cars annually and home to industry giants like:
- SAIC Motor (parent company of MG)
- Geely (owners of Volvo and Lotus)
- BYD (fast-growing EV powerhouse)
- NIO and XPeng (pioneering electric vehicle brands)
📈 F1 has been aggressively targeting China for growth, with the Shanghai Grand Prix set to return in 2024 after a four-year absence.
💰 A Chinese F1 team could unlock massive sponsorships, investments, and new fan engagement opportunities, further cementing the sport’s foothold in Asia.
“Less Races, More Teams” – A Shift in Strategy?
📅 F1’s expanding calendar has been a hot topic, with 24 races scheduled for 2024. Ben Sulayem believes the sport should focus on adding new teams instead of more races.
💬 “From the beginning, I said that I think fewer GPs are needed, but more teams. That’s why we involved General Motors with Cadillac. Many were against it, but it was a good decision for the sport.”
🚨 His comments push back against F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali’s belief that the grid should remain at 10 teams. While existing teams have opposed Cadillac’s entry due to financial concerns, Ben Sulayem remains steadfast in his expansion vision.
Reality Check: How Close Are We to a Chinese F1 Team?
🚧 Unlike GM, no Chinese manufacturer has publicly expressed interest in F1 yet. But with the sport’s massive growth in Asia, it’s only a matter of time before one takes the plunge.
🔍 SAIC, Geely, or BYD could be prime candidates, especially given Formula 1’s push toward sustainability and hybrid technology—a perfect match for China’s booming EV industry.
⏳ It may take several years, but with the FIA President leading the charge, F1’s next new team might just come from the world’s biggest auto market.
🏁 Would you like to see a Chinese manufacturer enter Formula 1? Which brand would be the best fit? 🔥
