Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali has confirmed that the sport has “no more room” for a 12th team. The announcement comes despite Cadillac joining the F1 grid in 2026. Backed by General Motors, the team will become Formula 1’s 11th entry. This expansion will bring the grid to 22 cars, a first since 2016.
The Cadillac project follows years of planning and review. The outfit will use Ferrari engines until GM develops its own power units from 2029. Domenicali recognized the value of the new entry. Yet he insisted that Formula 1 has reached its logistical limit.
“We have to be cautious,” Domenicali said. “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.”
Why F1 Cannot Accommodate a 12th Team
Race tracks can hold more cars, as F3 grids often line up 30 single-seaters on the same circuits. Formula 1, however, faces different challenges. Paddock facilities, garages, and pitlanes are more restricted. Domenicali explained that adding a 12th team would push those facilities beyond their capacity. Circuits like Monaco are already operating at their maximum limits.
Expansion, he stressed, must not compromise the sport’s infrastructure. “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 emphasized that new entrants should buy an existing team rather than forcing an extra slot.
Cadillac Entry and Andretti’s Failed Bid
Cadillac’s entry highlights a major shift in Formula 1’s approach to welcoming new teams. Michael Andretti’s project was approved by the FIA in October 2023 but rejected by Formula 1 in January 2024. The championship believed the team would not be competitive, even with General Motors as a partner.
Domenicali said the rejection was not personal but based on the project’s weaknesses. “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,” he explained.
“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.”
The situation changed when General Motors committed to long-term investment. “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.”
With Cadillac confirmed for 2026, Formula 1 will return to a 22-car grid for the first time in a decade. Domenicali made clear that this expansion is the absolute limit. He underlined the importance of protecting stability and maintaining the sport’s commercial value.
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