FIA invites applications for up to two new teams to enter F1 from 2025

2023 F1 season

Posted on

| Written by

The FIA has started an applications process for new teams to enter Formula 1 from 2025.

The governing body of motorsport announced “the official launch of an application process to identify prospective teams seeking to participate at a competitive level in the FIA Formula One world championship.”

Successful new applicants may choose to enter in 2025, 2026 – when new technical regulations are due for introduction – or 2027.

The FIA says it will determine which if any candidates are chosen based on “the overall long-term interests of the championship, together with the applicable regulations and governance arrangements.”

Its criteria for judging which teams are permitted to enter will cover eight points. These include “the technical ability and resources of the team” and “the ability of the team to meet and comply with its obligations under the F1 Sporting, Technical, and Financial Regulations.”

Applicants will also have to show they can cope with the financial demands of participating in F1. The FIA will assess “the ability of the team to raise and maintain sufficient funding to meet its financial obligations and to allow participation in the championship at a competitive level” and applicants must provide “a detailed business plan (including financial projections) for the first five years of the project; the team’s experience and capabilities in the automobile and/or motorsport sector (including technical experience, racing experience, facilities, equipment, and engineering resources) and relevant staff headcount/ experience.”

The hopeful entrants must also indicate “whether the team and all individuals proposing to participate in the ownership, control, or management of the team are fit and proper persons” and provide “considerations of sustainability, EDI (Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion), and societal benefit” of their entry.

Advert | Become a RaceFans supporter and go ad-free

Finally, the FIA will consider an “assessment of the value that the candidate may bring to the championship, including consideration of its reputation and integrity.”

The FIA noted that F1’s commercial rights holder, Liberty Media, “may also impose additional selection criteria/conditions (to be advised separately during the application process).” F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali has previously indicated his resistance to expanding the grid beyond its current 10 teams.

The FIA said it “anticipates” the final deadline for applications to be submitted will be April 30th 2023, and a decision will follow by June 30th.

“For the avoidance of doubt, no new applicant has an automatic right of entry to the championship and the maximum number of teams competing in the Championship up to and including the 2025 season is capped at 12. Existing F1 teams will be given priority over new applicants. In the event that no applicant is considered suitable by the FIA and/or by the F1 Commercial Rights Holder, no new F1 team(s) will be selected.”

The federation’s president Mohammed Ben Sulayem, who revealed last month he planned to open a process for new teams to apply to enter, said: “the growth and appeal of the FIA Formula One world championship is at unprecedented levels.

“The FIA believes the conditions are right for interested parties, which meet the selection criteria, to express a formal interest in entering the championship.

“For the first time ever, as part of the selection conditions, we are requesting that candidates set out how they would meet the FIA’s sustainability benchmarks and how they would make a positive societal impact through sport.

Advert | Become a RaceFans supporter and go ad-free

“The process is a logical extension of the positive acceptance of the FIA’s 2026 F1 power unit regulations from engine manufacturers which has attracted Audi to Formula 1 and created interest among other potential entrants.”

An F1 spokesperson told RaceFans it is “positive to have a clear process” for new teams to enter the series.

“As the FIA have said this will involve the relevant stakeholders and any interest will be assessed by us together and consider what is best for the championship.”

Become a RaceFans Supporter

RaceFans is run thanks in part to the generous support of its readers. By contributing £1 per month or £12 per year (or the same in whichever currency you use) you can help cover the costs of creating, hosting and developing RaceFans today and in the future.

Become a RaceFans Supporter today and browse the site ad-free. Sign up or find out more via the links below:

2025 F1 season

Browse all 2025 F1 season articles

Author information

Keith Collantine
Lifelong motor sport fan Keith set up RaceFans in 2005 - when it was originally called F1 Fanatic. Having previously worked as a motoring...

Got a potential story, tip or enquiry? Find out more about RaceFans and contact us here.

55 comments on “FIA invites applications for up to two new teams to enter F1 from 2025”

  1. Does this actually mean anything?

    1. Yes, to the lawyers and business people about to be paid a princely sum to prepare documentation for the application process.

    2. Yeah. They want to make new teams enter as difficult as possible. I don’t get it. They don’t want any new teams as it will take away one part of their money. Why they don’t kick some teams out so big teams or the rest can get even more money?

      1. Why they don’t kick some teams out

        I vote for Mercedes and Red Bull.

  2. I’d trade a team like Mercedes or even Ferrari for a Minardi in a heartbeat. But then, I don’t need to care about other issues. One can dream though.

  3. Stefan GP!!!!!

    1. Ha ha, yes, now is the time!

    2. US F1. When they built toasters for racing. ( my facts may be jumbled with the animated videos.)

  4. The FIA noted that F1’s commercial rights holder, Liberty Media, “may also impose additional selection criteria/conditions (to be advised separately during the application process).”

    I like it. Putting the pressure on Liberty and the existing teams to not ruin their own public image.

    1. That’s one way to read it
      Another would be:
      You’d have to woo Liberty Media as well
      Especially after Andretti’s “it’s an FIA series after all” comment and LM’s smack down on Ben after he expressed opinion about the value of FOM’s 100 year lease.

      A lot of people don’t understand FOM are the only ones that can sign Andretti’s or whoever joins the grid’s checks.
      The appearance fees, the constructor’s payout, the legacy fees, the post revenue split etc. all of that comes from FOM, not the FIA.

      1. That’s right – the FIA can put cars on the grid, but that doesn’t mean there’ll be money in it for them unless Liberty and the teams agree to it.
        If they don’t, of course, F1 will likely suffer a bit of an image problem. And as image directly translates into income – they might want to think holistically about their position on that matter. Especially given that the most likely new team will be based in the market they want to grow most…

        This financial aspect was true in the past under Bernie too, though – but that didn’t stop teams building cars and attempting to qualify.
        Why? Because they were allowed to, and the potential for being in the top 10 meant that they would get that money – on merit, no less.

        Andretti is correct, and it really doesn’t mean anything if someone says they don’t think F1 is worth that much – regardless of whether they run the FIA or not.

        1. Andretti is correct, and it really doesn’t mean anything if someone says they don’t think F1 is worth that much – regardless of whether they run the FIA or not.

          But it does, it explicitly does mean something. Did you not read the article?

          For the avoidance of doubt, no new applicant has an automatic right of entry to the championship and the maximum number of teams competing in the Championship up to and including the 2025 season is capped at 12. Existing F1 teams will be given priority over new applicants. In the event that no applicant is considered suitable by the FIA and/or by the F1 Commercial Rights Holder, no new F1 team(s) will be selected

          The FIA noted that F1’s commercial rights holder, Liberty Media, “may also impose additional selection criteria/conditions (to be advised separately during the application process).”

          An F1 spokesperson told RaceFans it is “positive to have a clear process” for new teams to enter the series.
          “As the FIA have said this will involve the relevant stakeholders and any interest will be assessed by us together and consider what is best for the championship.”

          It clearly means enough for the FIA to go out of its way to explicitly make it clear FOM is involved in this process. It very clearly means the FIA can’t just “put cars on the gird”. We don’t know the contents of the Concorde Agreement but its quite clear, this isn’t the good ole days where teams were “building cars and attempting to qualify”. FOM clearly has some weight to throw around. You need to understand Andretti or any other potential new team for that matter could show up on the grid and the existing teams will have to collectively fork up at least $70 million from their own purse. This is just to show up, no points scoring ambition, nor championship fighting spirit, just appear as a new entrant and pocket a cool >= $70 million. (source).

          Also, the FIA realizes this is a double edged sword. FOM and FIA are tethered to the waist. If F1 suffers “a bit of an image problem” guess who is catching stray bullets? I won’t even touch on FIA’s PTSD from dealing with dissenting teams; just the potential for collateral damage from, to, and by its crown jewel.
          Also also, F1/FOM has weathered objectively worse storms, the notion that denying Andretti for another entry or denying everyone and keeping the status quo will so much as move the needle is naive. Especially when the product is just. getting. better. on. all. sides.
          F1 isn’t hurting for new teams, F1 doesn’t need Andretti. There are just tactile facts, regardless of how you feel about it.
          Last season was one of the most dominant displays from one driver and team and yet the numbers grew AND diversified.
          You need to look at this at much more granular scale and evenly apply context even if it challenges your viewpoint.

          It also matters, it really does matter (depending on who) if someone says “they don’t think F1 is worth that much”.
          Doubly so, if they are the President of the FIA. FOM have a fiduciary role to print money for its stakeholders. Ben’s comments not only directly clashes with that (read public trading and liabilities), but also steps on the legal agreement that FOM can pretty much do whatever the hell it wants with F1’s commercial rights because that’s explicitly what the FIA agreed to. Do you think sprint races were FIA’s idea?
          Ben is not to voice any public opinion on FOM’s commercial rights in his current capacity. That smack down wasn’t posturing, it has legal vicious teeth.

        2. The Concorde Agreement is a financial and organisational agreement, not a regulatory one.
          As such, I’d contend that the FIA can put cars and teams on the grid – they just won’t automatically be able to earn any FOM money directly from their entry or participation.
          And that may be OK for some teams for a couple of years until the next Concorde Agreement.
          Note that the FIA are vetting their applicants – they aren’t going to approve of anyone who isn’t of their desired calibre.
          Remember that the previous FIA boss was also content with capping at 10 teams, which is the main reason why there hasn’t been an 11th or 12th entry for a long time.

          FOM clearly has some weight to throw around.

          Yes, they are trying to bully the FIA. Sadly for them, that’s akin to bullying the police.

          You need to understand Andretti or any other potential new team for that matter could show up on the grid and the existing teams will have to collectively fork up at least $70 million from their own purse.

          I understand exactly what it means. It means that the existing 10 teams (all of which are highly profitable now with the budget cap and commercial growth) don’t want to give up anything for the sake of the competition that gave them their growth, stability and marketing platform. Pure, raw, unadulterated greed. And ultimately, they won’t suffer from it when it begins to shrink again in the near future – they’ll just sell up and bail out instead.
          BTW, I think you forgot that ‘just showing up’ requires a minimum of ~$100m in investment…. Hardly free.

          Also, the FIA realizes this is a double edged sword. FOM and FIA are tethered to the waist. If F1 suffers “a bit of an image problem” guess who is catching stray bullets?

          FIA is far more bullet-resistant than the financially-driven commercial rights holder. FIA has a lot security on their side, as far as their partnership goes – it’s Liberty taking all the risk by antagonising their business partner (and source of product).

          the notion that denying Andretti for another entry or denying everyone and keeping the status quo will so much as move the needle is naive. Especially when the product is just. getting. better. on. all. sides.

          It would be incredibly naive to suggest that this growth will continue forever.
          F1 will begin to shrink again very soon, and they’ll need every independent race team they can get over the longer term. Better to plan ahead for that inevitable future now, rather than wait until it’s too late.

          F1 isn’t hurting for new teams, F1 doesn’t need Andretti. There are just tactile facts, regardless of how you feel about it.

          You are absolutely correct – those in F1 don’t want another team right now. But it isn’t really about what they want, and that’s exactly what the FIA are telling them. F1 is bigger than any of the teams, and also bigger than the (temporary) commercial rights holder. The FIA need to think long term and not just ride the wave.

          You need to look at this at much more granular scale and evenly apply context even if it challenges your viewpoint.

          As do we all.

          It also matters, it really does matter (depending on who) if someone says “they don’t think F1 is worth that much”.

          Nope. It’s just words.
          His point was absolutely clear – if Liberty were to sell F1 for the reported $20B, then that would inevitably lead to reduced accessibility for viewers and potentially reduced competition within F1, as the financial structure would almost certainly adapt to reflect that cost (as it does now, with Liberty taking a huge share of the income to repay their own debts for purchasing F1’s commercial rights).
          It’s a very sensible, if not blunt, warning to not be so short-sighted. F1 will make more money over a long term with a healthy partnership between FIA and CRH than it will being pimped out for short-term profit.

          Do you think sprint races were FIA’s idea?

          Does it matter? Is the FIA that unhappy with them? They (the members in charge at the time) weren’t ultra-keen as far as I can recall, but they certainly didn’t outright demand (publicly) that sprints not be implemented.

          Ben is not to voice any public opinion on FOM’s commercial rights in his current capacity.

          ‘Ben’ (you two are pretty close, I take it?) is a human being, and is well within his rights to make comment on whatever he likes.
          He didn’t express any information that wasn’t already publicly available, nor did he portray that his opinion was representative of anyone or anything that he has no right to represent.

          That smack down wasn’t posturing, it has legal vicious teeth.

          It was posturing. Liberty won’t kill their golden goose.
          If their partnership with the FIA were to break down completely, Liberty would have far more to lose.

          1. That’s ~$100m in investment – separate to the additional $200m anti-competitive (sorry, anti-dilution) fee.

          2. a few thoughts:
            – on what earth do you think:
            1. …new entrants would voluntarily forfeit FOM payouts after millions “invested”
            2. …that the existing teams and FOM who aren’t sharing their piece of the pie will suddenly entertain said new entrants at the next Concorde Agreement even if the new entrant forfeited prior payouts?
            3. …it is an indictment on the Concorde Agreement that the anti dilution fee and subsequent monies stated don’t account for the now ballooned entity that is F1 when the C.A was signed in the middle an economic downturn. At that point in time those fees were astronomical, people complained and no one was looking to enter. Fast forward a few years and now even tripling the fee barely cuts it. Spirit vs letter of the law and all that jazz we F1 fans love to argue. Is your argument that FOM/FIA/teams should have bought a time machine?

            Remember that the previous FIA boss was also content with capping at 10 teams, which is the main reason why there hasn’t been an 11th or 12th entry for a long time.

            This is just a flat out lie At best, Todt said he was pleased with the ten teams while making it clear there’s room to grow. What kind of revisionist lie are you spouting??

            Note that the FIA are vetting their applicants – they aren’t going to approve of anyone who isn’t of their desired calibre.

            I never said FIA aren’t vetting, I said the FIA have made it clear FOM is just as involved in this process The two entities HAVE to agree and the two of them can INDEPENDENTLY dictate criteria. This isn’t bullying, these are uncoerced official FIA sanctioned words. This is the real world, the FIA aren’t police and even politicians and rich people have their way with the police. The Concorde Agreement is a binding contract born from the near destruction of the FIA’s crown jewel. More importantly, its clear the FIA sees it as more than a “financial and organisational agreement”. Regulatory or not (whoever decides that), it is not bullying. I don’t why you think the FIA stating “and FOM too!” is considered bullying.

            I understand exactly what it means. It means that the existing 10 teams (all of which are highly profitable now with the budget cap and commercial growth) don’t want to give up anything for the sake of the competition that gave them their growth, stability and marketing platform. Pure, raw, unadulterated greed. And ultimately, they won’t suffer from it when it begins to shrink again in the near future – they’ll just sell up and bail out instead.
            BTW, I think you forgot that ‘just showing up’ requires a minimum of ~$100m in investment…. Hardly free.

            Do you? Do you really?
            I just told you last season was one of the most dominant displays by one driver and team yet the numbers grew and diversified. This is only preceded by another singular driver and team wiping the floor with everyone else for a near decade and you cite “competition”? Seriously? you think competition gave F1 its $17.1bn valuation I’m genuinely asking here.

            – Racing is a business, it will continue to be a business with each passing financial quarter. Its why there are quips about making a small fortune in racing by starting with a larger one. Hell, its why even amateur racing is embracing wind tunnel testing. Money makes the world go round in this capitalist era we find ourselves in. The notion that Andretti are some thoroughbred all encompassing racing powerhouse who only do it for the love of the sport is naive and is directly at loggerheads with the timing via which they started making noise about wanting to join the grid. The exact same “pure, raw, unadulterated greed” you accuse other teams of equally applies to the venture backed slick talking Andretti and all. other. potential. teams. Either it’s greed or that’s how the world goes round. The second it is no longer financially feasible, they will all bail out, even longstanding Ferrari. (Its mirrored outside F1 by Ferrari’s attempt to inject cash via an SUV…. I still cannot believe I typed that but like I said…business).

            – I never said showing up was free, learn to read. I said showing up with zero intention to compete would still net you at least $70 million. You don’t even have to try to do more than the bare minimum and the other teams will just HAVE to hand you almost a hundred million dollars depending on the race calendar in appearance fees ALONE.

            – I also never said the growth will go on forever. Where did I say that? I said the numbers, commercial and viewership wise do not support the argument that F1 needs Andretti or any new entrants for that matter. This isn’t the good ole days, “independent race teams” don’t exist anymore – Williams is a portfolio for a private investment firm and Andretti’s entry is a bunch of corporate entities masquerading as one in a big trench coat. One hesitation from Group 1001 Capital or Cadillac or Renault and Andretti’s team is in trouble. RBR is preparing to bed Ford. All of these teams and potential future ones are here for money because and say it with me…racing is a business. they can call it whatever they want but cash flow makes this work. Do I wish there were more independents? Yes! manufacturers are a fickle bunch but I also acknowledge they make the sport what it is. Its why FOM hands Ferrari money, just for being Ferrari (and veto power) while Williams twiddle their thumbs.

            FIA is far more bullet-resistant than the financially-driven commercial rights holder. FIA has a lot security on their side, as far as their partnership goes – it’s Liberty taking all the risk by antagonising their business partner (and source of product).

            What security exactly? What do you envision happens if F1, their crown jewel and biggest source of income comes crashing down or decides to break free. Have you learned nothing of the NUMEROUS times the FIA in all its iterations had to learn that it takes two to tango? We just established racing is a business, do you think those governing the business do it out of the kindness of their heart? Even from your own perspective, the FIA’s stance is still about money, they just disagree on the timeline and cash flow and who the cash cow is/will be.

            You need to look at this at much more granular scale and evenly apply context even if it challenges your viewpoint.
            As do we all

            .
            Ha, irony so rich, my GP recommends I donate blood and lay off red meat for a while

            Nope. It’s just words…

            It’s not just words, one last time, it is not just words. If it were Stefano would have called Ben (yes ‘Ben’, we’re pretty close, jealous?) instead the commercial rights holder’s lawyers told Ben/FIA to watch it. I cannot make it any more clear that there is legal precedence and jurisdiction that could land Ben/FIA in hot water. Especially if a denied bid feels vindictive. Ben is free to have his thoughts stay in his head, his active role as the president of the FIA that he campaigned for and voluntarily accepted does not permit him to voice it out, he is to remain impartial. although the irony of you defending his right to voice it is very funny given our last interaction. It isn’t posturing, if it was Ben wouldn’t have stopped talking and FIA wouldn’t have gone out of their way to state multiple times that FOM is involved in this process. Also Liberty selling F1 to whomever wouldn’t be killing their golden goose, don’t know where you got that from. They bought low and can almost unilaterally choose to sell high. That’s business 101, again, don’t know how that’s killing a golden goose we’re talking about tens of billions of pounds/dollars.

            Do you think sprint races were FIA’s idea?
            Does it matter?

            Yes? If your counter point is essentially “seems FIA is cool with it” and somehow miss the point that sprint races were Stefano’s/FOM baby that went from an idea to fruition in a matter of months then I don’t know what to say. This is an entity that netted over a billion in raw profits in the middle of an economic downturn and is poised to shatter new records. It is packed with teams who are not afraid to exercise power and will gladly do whatever it takes. RBR willed an earlier engine freeze date, just like that. Mercedes had the FIA rewrite pit stop rules, FIA reserve the right to alter aero philosophies on the fly. I could go on but my point is that this is a Mexican standoff, no one walks away unscathed, not even the last to blink.

        3. This financial aspect was true in the past under Bernie too, though – but that didn’t stop teams building cars and attempting to qualify.
          Why? Because they were allowed to, and the potential for being in the top 10 meant that they would get that money – on merit, no less.

          That’s not the deal Mr Andretti and his investors are trying to get, though.

          1. A massive failure of the Concorde Agreement that they didn’t allow for the additional value an extra team or two could bring to F1 – without any penalty whatsoever to everyone else.

            Regardless – Andretti have stated they accept the requirement to fund (sorry, compensate) the existing teams to the tune of $200m as stated under the current Concorde Agreement.
            So what’s left to resist them for? They are meeting all the ridiculous requirements – and then some.

  5. Great news. lets have 24 cars on the grid again. Andretti Cadillac and a n other. This is a decision that the existing teams should have absolutely NO say in whatsoever. So fingers crossed!!!!

    1. Hiland (@flyingferrarim)
      2nd February 2023, 15:36

      I agree that teams should have no say… these are not “franchises” that Toto keeps alluding to. F1 is the only form of motorsports that is closed off from the rest (aka not all that inclusive). Anyone can enter to race in Indycar, WEC, WRC, etc competitions without having to go through this nonsense. I would rather see 22/24 car fields and less races (18 is my ideal number) in a season. As long as the teams have say, we will not see 10+ teams.

      When the economy tumbles we’ll see how healthy F1 is when all these manufacturers leave and privateer teams having to truck on. F1 will then be pleading privateer outfits to enter to fill a field but no one will have the startup funds to do so. More reason to not look down on privateer teams as they are the ones that provide stability to motorsports. Don’t get me wrong, OEMs have their place and add a lot to racing.

      1. F1 is the only form of motorsports that is closed off from the rest

        You know why?

        Because Formula 1 is the only form of motorsport that is making money and paying out parts of the profits to its competitors.

        1. Hiland (@flyingferrarim)
          2nd February 2023, 16:05

          for now!

        2. I’m honestly confused about your concern for the financial well being of individual F1 teams. Do you have some sort of stake in the finances of Liberty? Are you associated with a team? Your comments are consistently about profits for the teams, rather than addressing the actual competition.

          1. When we’re talking about several investment groups trying to gain an F1 entry on the basis that the costs as laid out by the current commercial agreements package don’t reflect the value of an F1 entry, that’s a pure business topic and will be addressed accordingly.

          2. on the basis that the costs as laid out by the current commercial agreements package don’t reflect the value of an F1 entry

            Stiff.
            The teams made the anti-dilution fee rule themselves, and now that a new team (and not just any team, but an industry significant one) agreed to pay the sum they asked, for they want more. They made a poor decision, and now they must face the consequences of it.

    2. 26 cars, please! Them were the days. You could make really long trains.

  6. Panthera may be the other team along with Andretti that could get in I guess.

  7. Hiland (@flyingferrarim)
    2nd February 2023, 15:12

    So the way I read it is that the FIA will approve Andretti for then to see the F1 teams and liberty deny it at the end which will hurt their own public image. Got it! I much rather see more teams than more races but i get it… $$$$$$ is more important than the sport itself!

    1. That’s why the “participant” teams – who have no chance or desire to be competitive – lobbied so hard for a change in the distribution of the prize money. Compared to Indycar, the prize money in F1 given to the winners or those in last place is much more equal. The difference is still substantial of course, but considering Williams only scored a handful of points their money per point is hugely inflated. Being in F1 is a big moneymaker, regardless of how bad a team is competitively.

  8. At least the FIA have now admitted that they have no power to grant entries to Formula 1 on their own.

    1. Really? They have never claimed that.

      1. “The FIA noted that F1’s commercial rights holder, Liberty Media, “may also impose additional selection criteria/conditions (to be advised separately during the application process).””

        If you pass the FIA selection you are not automatically granted a spot, you need to pass also the Liberty Media one, so it looks pretty clear to me that FIA on it’s own can’t grant anyone a spot in F1.

  9. The FIA vs. Liberty vs. F1 cartel saga is quickly becoming more interesting than the racing.

  10. It was about time! It’s looking like a new move on this chess match between Fia and Liberty! I am eager to see Dominicali / Wolff / Horner comments on that. 24 cars again in the future? Sounds great!

    1. I’m more interested in the information the FIA intend to release between today and the announcement of the up to two additional investment groups they deem worthy of being gifted hundreds of millions of dollars in value.

      With that said, I figure everyone involved will eventually settle on nobody joining during the current commercial agreements package, and anyone joining for 2026 and beyond making payments more in line with the value of an F1 entry.

  11. Should be open to at least 3 teams as the grid limit is still capped at 26 cars i believe.

    I’d like to see it open for more than 13 teams and then just have cars that don’t make the top 26 not quality as used to be the case.

    The more teams the better as it opens up more opportunities for drivers as well as mechanics, engineers, designers etc…

  12. I think 11 or 12 is about right for F1. A grid with 20 cars on it has always looked a little bit short to me, whenever it has occurred.

  13. Total non-starter! The existing big teams are just saying “nyet!”.

  14. Who in their right mind would enter in 2025? Unless they can use someone else’s old car for a year, or something.

    1. Everyone who sees that the current anti-dilution fee will go up massively – to catch up with the massively increased value of an F1 entry – with the next commercial agreements package, which will come into force in 2026.

      That’s why several investment groups are currently trying to get into Formula 1 in the first place – current costs, set in stone through the end of 2025, pale in comparison to the value of the entry, making for an easy couple of hundred million dollar profit if one were to procure an F1 entry under the current conditions.

      1. making for an easy couple of hundred million dollar profit

        Still with this nonsense.
        It’s almost like you think it costs nothing to start a new F1 team. And then they have to run it year on year (FIA are essentially stating a minimum of 5 years, without even asking Liberty for their opinion on the subject) potentially (likely)(without any serious sponsors during that time. And they’ll still be backmarkers then, taking the smallest prize pot of all.
        No new team is going to break even – by any metric – for a much longer period than 5 years, by which time F1’s current bubble will absolutely have burst and their entry will be worth much less than the going anti-competition fee of the time.

        1. The profit is in monetizing the difference between the cost required to gain an F1 entry and the value of that F1 entry.

          As that monetization can happen the moment the F1 entry is granted, it’s basically irrelevant how valuations might have changed by 2030. (at least to the initial investors, bit of a different story to those then holding the bag)

          1. The profit is in monetizing the difference between the cost required to gain an F1 entry and the value of that F1 entry.

            But the monetary value of that entry today is the cost of gaining it. As stated, the FIA (never mind FOM) aren’t handing out entries to just anyone. They aren’t for sale.

            And no – monetisation can’t happen immediately, as they won’t be able to sell their franchise for a prescribed time. It has no financial value, as it can’t be traded.
            It matters a lot how things will be in in 2030 or 2031, because that’s the earliest they’d be able to sell (unless they go belly up in the mean time – in which case, they clearly haven’t made a profit on it).

            For an existing team, however, the value or their franchise is whatever a buyer will pay for it. If they can find one…

  15. But the monetary value of that entry today is the cost of gaining it.

    No. The minimum value is the cost of gaining the next F1 entry.

    They aren’t for sale.

    They very much are. It’s just that Mr Andretti and his investors have found it impossible to come to terms with multiple holders of F1 entries in the past.

    And no – monetisation can’t happen immediately

    Once the F1 entry is granted, the company’s valuation, having now secured an F1 entry, shoots up. This value can then immediately be monetized by offering any number of financial instruments to third parties while paying out dividends from the proceeds to the initial group of investors.

    1. No. The minimum value is the cost of gaining the next F1 entry.

      And what is that? Supposing that one ever even becomes available.
      The Concorde Agreement says it is $200m, and the FIA says any potential candidate needs to be vetted for legitimacy on a number of fronts. FOM hasn’t really said anything specific, other than they aren’t keen and don’t want to upset their existing teams (who they have a pretty cosy collusion with on financial matters).

      They very much are. It’s just that Mr Andretti and his investors have found it impossible to come to terms with multiple holders of F1 entries in the past.

      So you are essentially saying that because no team wanted to sell to them, no amount of money is enough to gain a franchise? Despite the teams putting a $200m figure on it in the Concorde Agreement, and Liberty then attaching a manufacturer condition – both of which Andretti have produced.
      You sound exactly as bad as the teams. Totally unlike a viewer or a sportsperson – or even a ‘fan’ of F1, or motorsport in general.

      Once the F1 entry is granted, the company’s valuation, having now secured an F1 entry, shoots up.

      OK, let’s pretend for a moment that that happens. Who does that affect?
      Not the existing teams. Not FOM. Not the FIA.
      And certainly not you – unless you are associated with a direct competitor of Andretti Autosport or their supporters and business partners.

      1. spot on, S…

        Andretti or prospective entrants did not set the conditions and if these conditions are met, why not?

      2. So you are essentially saying that because no team wanted to sell to them, no amount of money is enough to gain a franchise?

        It’s a gross misrepresentation to claim that no team want to sell, in fact, Audi managed to come to terms with the current ownership of Sauber at roughly the same time Mr Andretti and his investors last failed to successfully acquire a current Formula 1 entry.

        If Mr Andretti and his investors fail where Audi succeeded, it’s clear that its a Mr Andretti and his investors problem.

        manufacturer condition – both of which Andretti have produced.

        Mr Andretti and his investors have categorically failed on the second part, as evidenced by the 2026 entry list for PU manufacturers released today.

        Who does that affect?

        The largest effect would be Mr Andretti and his investors being able to clear several hundred million dollars of profit.

        Which is why this whole charade is going on in the first place.

        1. If Mr Andretti and his investors fail where Audi succeeded, it’s clear that its a Mr Andretti and his investors problem.

          Or perhaps it’s clear that FOM played a part in it.
          Perhaps it’s also clear that Andretti had indicated they’d be willing to put up the money to create their own (11th) team.

          Mr Andretti and his investors have categorically failed on the second part, as evidenced by the 2026 entry list for PU manufacturers released today.

          That is entirely because:
          A) Cadillac won’t be producing an engine themselves at that time. And,
          B) It is conditional on their team partner (Andretti Autosport) being granted a franchise to participate in F1. They have not shown any interest in partnering with another team – existing or potential.

          Which is why this whole charade is going on in the first place.

          The whole charade is that they aren’t being granted an entry, despite meeting all the conditions – simply because the existing teams are too selfish and greedy and the commercial rights holder is at least as bad as they are.
          Coming back to the topic of this article – that’s exactly what the FIA are stamping their authority on this for.

          1. Or perhaps it’s clear that FOM played a part in it.

            I’m sure you can back that conjecture up with solid evidence.

            Andretti had indicated they’d be willing to put up the money

            After failing on multiple occasions to secure an existing F1 entry.

            that’s exactly what the FIA are stamping their authority on this for.

            The FIA may beg to disagree with your reading of the situation:

            The FIA noted that F1’s commercial rights holder, Liberty Media, “may also impose additional selection criteria/conditions (to be advised separately during the application process).”

          2. Clarity is in the eye of the viewer, isn’t it.
            I don’t need to back anything up – I haven’t represented it as fact, but as a theoretical possibility.
            Some people think it’s clear that Elvis is still alive, or that aliens live among us, or that Santa Claus isn’t real…

            After failing on multiple occasions to secure an existing F1 entry.

            Nevertheless, they actually did present all the things that were required. I wonder how many current teams could do that if it were required for everyone to justify their participation…

            The FIA may beg to disagree with your reading of the situation:

            I don’t reckon they will. They have little control over whatever ridiculous commercial decisions FOM make.
            If FOM reject a new team entry, it’s would only be commercially – not regulatory. The FIA maintain the sole right to accept teams (up to 13 of them in total) and enter them into the championship. Their cars will be allowed on the track in full competition at every event – but it’s up to FOM to pay them and put them in the same media space as the existing teams.
            Thus, the statement you quoted above regarding Liberty is related to potential commercial conditions – not regulatory ones.
            It’s quite possible that no team may wish to proceed into F1 without any direct payment from F1 – but that doesn’t mean that they can’t.

          3. @proesterchen
            save your breath, I’ve already tried reasoning in a lengthy reply in another thread on this same page and rather than attempt to stand by what they said or even retort anything, S just left to spout their rhetoric somewhere else. They’ve made up their mind and refuse to acknowledge or so much as consider a differing perspective.

          4. Feeling a bit upset that I didn’t acknowledge your extremely lengthy (and quite aggressive) comment, huh?
            I read it, if that helps you to feel validated.

            What would you like me to say in response?

          5. Nah, I felt nothing,
            Vindicated maybe, when I saw you repeating the same sentiment in other threads on this page.
            Solidified the notion you had nothing, it was a clean response.
            That’s your method of operation: when you get backed into a corner you squirm, rephrase then leave, this isn’t the first time you’ve done this (with me or others).

            Your “validation” means nothing to me and like I said, you’ve kind of already responded.
            See you in the next article S :)

          6. I’ve put forward my comments on this many times. Repeatedly. Over and over.
            Did you really want me to do it again? What would be the point?
            I don’t think it’s your place to decide what I say and when/where I say it – nor what it means if I don’t.

            Backed into what corner?
            Clearly bringing up my screen name in a comment not even addressed to you means that it was important to get some response from me.
            And then reviewing my interaction on this site?

            Okay – just for you I’ll respond to your entire post with this:
            “Please see my other comments.”

          7. “Please see my other comments.”

            I did, I’m not impressed and that’s why I’m here.
            Do you forget these comments are timestamped?

            You’ve put forward your comments “many times” yet ignored the one that called out the flat lie you spouted and cited sources with other accompanying arguments. Even then those numerous comments of yours keep evolving with more weasel words. And when you got called out, you squirmed – again.
            IF the best you can do is try to pivot this into me scrolling down and telling someone else not to bother and calling my comment lengthy and aggressive (not wrong or disagreeable) then well, you do the math.
            Maybe backed into a corner is not the right phrase but one of us is clearly flailing.

            P.S. -> I’m not “reviewing your interaction” on this site; your username is S and you’re everywhere. It’s quite hard to miss you honestly.

            love,
            T

          8. I haven’t represented it as fact, but as a theoretical possibility.

            I’ll dismiss it, as you wish.

            they actually did present all the things that were required.

            It’s unknown whether Mr Andretti and his investors are in a position to successfully fulfil all necessary requirements to qualify for an F1 entry. In fact, there was no procedure in place to even outline what those necessary requirements might be at the time.

            I don’t reckon they will.

            Misread the FIA’s direct comments on the topic at your own peril.

            Thus, the statement you quoted above regarding Liberty is related to potential commercial conditions – not regulatory ones.

            The statement I quoted clearly states that the FIA make no claims to have exclusive or even sufficient power to grant any entity an F1 entry, and hence no authority to ‘stamp’ on anyone.

Comments are closed.