FIA President Mohammed ben Sulayem has issued a firm stance regarding speculation over potential Chinese manufacturers entering the Formula 1 championship. While acknowledging the massive market potential in China, Ben Sulayem emphasized that the federation will not alter its technical regulations simply to facilitate the entry of new teams into the sport.
With Cadillac's recent entry bringing the total number of teams on the grid to eleven, only one spot remains to reach the maximum capacity of twelve. However, the FIA remains committed to maintaining a high bar for entry, prioritizing long-term stability over rapid expansion.
Ben Sulayem confirmed that he has held preliminary discussions with industry giants such as BYD and Geely. However, he stressed that any new entrant must adhere to the existing framework. Regarding suggestions to modify rules to entice these manufacturers, he stated, "The rules will not be changed simply to favor Chinese manufacturers. We cannot do that. The regulations must remain stable. We need the right team, not just any team, and the rules must be fair for everyone."

Reflecting on his interactions, the FIA president noted, "I suggested to BYD, why not acquire an existing team instead? They refused and insisted they wanted their own team. That is their choice, but they must return with a serious proposal that proves the plan can work. Everything must happen according to our conditions, which are designed to ensure equality across the board."
As of now, no formal application procedure has been initiated by any Chinese manufacturer. For the governing body, the priority remains the quality and sustainability of the grid, ensuring that any new addition contributes positively to the pinnacle of motorsport without compromising the integrity of the competition.



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