F1 News: Stefano Domenicali - "Ten Teams Are More Than Enough"

F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali has given his opinion on the potential of more teams being added to the grid.

F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali declared that the current ten-team grid is ample for the sport's goals, advocating respect for long-standing teams, despite the ongoing 'Expressions of Interest' process with the FIA. 

This statement comes amidst a surge in Formula 1's popularity and applications for new teams, spurred by the success of Netflix's Drive to Survive and an increase in global grand prix events. 

Domenicali emphasised the current grid's strength and dismissed immediate expansion, highlighting the need to prevent prize money dilution and to maintain the sport's value. He insists on welcoming only potential teams that would notably enhance the sport.

One team which has been loud about their intent to join the grid is Andretti Autosport who has joined up with General Motors/Cadillac and has already started building their team so they are ready for 2025 or 2026 should their application be accepted. 

During an appearance on the Beyond the Grid podcast, Domenicali was asked what he thought about the potential of new teams joining the grid. He explained:

“This is a very interesting question. Because as you know, there are different positions, and there are also legal implications [of] what we have to say.

“I think, to be honest, if the real value that is bringing to the sport is important, and is real and stable for the future, there is also another consideration I have to take.

“If the contest that is growing is what we can see today, I think that 10 teams are more than enough to create the show, or the business and the attention that we want to see on the track.

The application process for new teams closed recently and they are now being reviewed by the FIA and Formula One Management. Domenicali went on to added:

“So there is an evaluation going on today that involves the FIA and us [FOM] to make the right call for the future. And this is something that is also connected to the future discussion that will happen with the renewal of the Concorde Agreement – that we need to remember that the expiry on is 2025, so we have still a long time to go.

“But yeah, it’s an evaluation that we need to take. Considering what I said in this period of time where, in the past, there were teams that were coming in and getting out with zero value, now the teams are stable, very profitable, and very strong in terms of also technical capability to be competitive on the track.

“Therefore, the right answer is that in the next months, it will be a very important point of discussion that we need to tackle, that is do we need to stay with 10? Do we need to have more teams? Or we can give the exemption to [a] future possible team to be really very, very strong, that can join Formula 1.

“So this is all topics that will be part of the discussion for the future.”

When asked directly if he would want to see more cars on the grid, Domenicali explained that in his personal opinion he wouldn't. He continued:

“As I said, I need to say that because it’s something that, if you have a good show, 20 cars are more than enough.

“You see, if you have two cars, or two drivers fighting, the level of attention is mega. So if you have already two teams fighting, that means four cars, it’s just incredible.

“So can you imagine 20 cars, so 10 teams at the level where there is a competition on the track? It would be impressive. So I would say let’s wait and see.

Domenicali concluded:

“My ‘no’ is not against someone who wants to come in. I need to clarify that because otherwise it seems that I want to be protectionist. That is not the case – I want to see the right one.

“And I need to also respect the ones that have invested in Formula 1 in the last period because we forget too quickly the respect, and now everyone wants to jump in the coach that is [moving] very fast.

“But we need to be prudent. We need to take that as a decision. That’s what I’m saying.”