FIA boss Ben Sulayem hints at Chinese F1 team, deals potential blow to Hong Kong GP hopes
FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem keen to see more teams competing rather than extending calendar
Motor racing boss Mohammed Ben Sulayem has floated the possibility of a Chinese entry into Formula 1, and said he would rather see more teams than new races added to an already stacked calendar.
With his controversial first term as FIA president ending in December, and a second term almost certain, Ben Sulayem’s opinion carries significant weight.
That might not be good news for Hong Kong, with officials pushing for the city to bid to host a grand prix, but could mean an extension of mainland China’s influence, where Shanghai has been confirmed through the 2030 F1 season.
According to Ben Sulayem, “talks” with a Chinese manufacturer were ongoing for a 12th entry into the F1 grid, and it was something he would support from an economic and sporting perspective.
“I still feel that we need more teams [rather] than more races,” he said. “If there is a Chinese bid I will speak on behalf of Formula One management now, they will agree on that because it is good for business.
“Think of the long term. If there is another team from China, they [will] approve it, 100 per cent they will approve it. Wouldn’t it make more money with China coming in? I believe [so], yes. Do we have to fill up another 12th team for the sake of filling up that 12th team? No, it will be the right team.”