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FIA president reveals 12th F1 team wish as Ferrari driver gets ball rolling

The recent confirmation of Cadillac’s entry into Formula 1 has ignited a new ambition within the FIA, with President Mohammed Ben Sulayem now setting his sights on expanding the sport further. Ben Sulayem has revealed that his next target is the inclusion of a Chinese manufacturer as the 12th team in the F1 grid. He emphasizes that the key to this expansion is not just the presence of a Chinese driver, as seen with Zhou Guanyu, but also a Chinese automotive giant stepping into the fold.

Zhou Guanyu, the first Chinese driver to compete in F1, was a fixture at Sauber for three seasons but has lost his seat for the 2025 season. However, his connection to the sport remains strong, as he has returned to Ferrari as their reserve driver, having previously been part of Ferrari’s Driver Academy. This ongoing involvement with F1 could potentially open the door for a future return to the grid, especially with the backing of a Chinese manufacturer.

The announcement of Cadillac’s entry into F1 for the 2026 season, in partnership with General Motors, has been a major milestone for the sport, particularly in terms of expanding its global presence. Despite initial resistance from Formula One Management regarding the Andretti Global-Cadillac partnership, the team eventually received provisional approval, with GM committing to producing engines after an initial collaboration with Ferrari. FIA President Ben Sulayem has been a strong advocate for this expansion and now aims to bring a Chinese manufacturer into the fold, considering it the next logical step for F1’s global diversification.

In an interview with French publication Le Figaro, Ben Sulayem shared that his dream for the past two years has been to see F1 grow in global reach, with significant representation from major countries. He highlighted the United States’ forthcoming presence through Cadillac, and now, his focus is on integrating a Chinese manufacturer into the sport. The importance of ensuring that any new teams are competitive is something that Ben Sulayem stressed as crucial in maintaining F1’s high standards.

When it comes to identifying a suitable Chinese manufacturer, Geely stands out as the most likely candidate. Founded in 1986 and owned by billionaire Li Shufu, Geely has grown into a major player in the automotive industry, with stakes in renowned brands such as Mercedes-Benz, Aston Martin, Volvo, and Lotus. Geely’s influence extends beyond cars, having recently formed a joint venture with Renault to create a new company, HORSE Powertrains, which aims to power vehicles from various brands, including Volvo and Dacia.

Zhou Guanyu himself has close ties to Geely, having been an ambassador for their car brand Zeekr. He has acknowledged that Geely has a strong interest in motorsport, particularly Formula 1, and that they are eager to enter the sport. Zhou has expressed that Geely’s involvement in his career could be an important factor in his future, as they have a vested interest in F1 and will support him as he navigates his path in the sport. While the exact strategy of Geely’s potential F1 involvement remains uncertain, Zhou believes that the company will be crucial in his future motorsport e

ndeavors.