The imminent arrival of Cadillac as 11th stable on the set seems to give ideas to many other investors. As early as 2026, the American manufacturer was in fact added to the grid, first motorized by Ferrari, before trusting General Motors from 2029. Solidified after many obstacles encountered on his way, the tortuous project of Cadillac does not repel the ambitions from the outside.
On the sidelines of the Fueling The City’s Global Spotlight event organized before the start of the weekend, Otmar Szafnauer issued its first sports and organizational arguments. “In 28 years, there was a time when there were 12 F1 teams, he recalled. And before my arrival-I signed my contract (with the bar stable. Editor’s note) in 1997 and I arrived in 1998-there were even more, at the time when there were pre-qualifications. »»
“So I think there is room for a twelfth team. And if a twelfth team materializes, I want to be ready to be the chosen candidate, he addedhighlighting the few places available at present in the discipline. There is clearly enough space for 12 teams. I think that 24 cars on track, it’s better than 22, and 12 teams, it’s better than 11. But there is certainly room, physical space, and if these 12 teams can all be competitive and share the glory of victory, it’s even better with 24 drivers. »»
A new tender hoped for by Szafnauer
The former director of the Alpine stable seems above all to hang on to the hope of the arrival of Cadillac for 2026. More specifically, the displayed will of Mohammed Ben SULAYEM to open the formerly particularly closed discipline could give the magnitude to this project.
“Cadillac was chosen eleventh. I believe there were five candidates, and one of them was chosen by FIA, Cadillac, then by F1, or Liberty, Remember Otmar Szafnauer. I therefore imagine that when the call for tenders for this 12th team is launched, several applications will be submitted. So I want to be sure that my candidacy will be the best among those that will be selected. »»
Taking the example of Toto Wolff, director of the Mercedes stable, but also the team holder of 33%, Romanian-American expressed his desire to wear the two caps if the opportunity came to arise. At this point, no concrete breach was opened by F1 for the arrival of an eleventh team. Nevertheless, the many changes in regulations to come beyond 2026 could lead to new speeches in this way.
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