"We can afford having another Hollywood team for God’s sake”: FIA President speaks on Andretti being the 11th F1 team on the grid

FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem has said that F1 can afford another "Hollywood team" while advocating for Andretti Autosport's entry into the sport.

The governing body of motorsport recently gave permission for Andretti Autosport and its partner Cadillac to set up an 11th team in F1 in the coming years. However, the American motorsport giants have faced stern resistance from the 10 existing teams on the grid.

Most teams have said that a new team may not bring in substantial revenue. Speaking with Motorsport.com, Ben Sulayem claimed having an 11th team like Andretti will be an attractive offer for F1's owners Liberty Media.

He said:

“We can afford having another Hollywood team for God’s sake. The contracts are very clear. We are running now 11 teams for Hollywood. And when they are over, at that time, there will be space. Most of the contracts are very, very clear. It is safe to be approved and have to have a place for 12. It is written."

“It’s the responsibility of the promoter and the circuit; it’s not our responsibility. We don’t interfere but that’s the rule. The rules are not only implemented by us, the rules are implemented everywhere. By all parties."

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Williams F1 team principal explains why they are against having an 11th team in the sport

Williams F1 team boss James Vowles has said that in order to have an additional team, all 10 existing teams need to be financially stable, adding that almost half of the grid wasn't.

Speaking in the Team Principal's press conference in Qatar, Vowles said:

"Teams are working more and more together, we have close racing as a result of things – but it should be known that this isn’t just us that are not financially stable. I’d say probably half the grid isn’t. I think the addition of an 11th team is a sensible thing – but only at a point where the 10th team on the grid is financially stable."

"For clarity on that, that's not against either Andretti or GM, quite the opposite. I welcome GM open-armed, and Williams welcomes GM open-arms and I hope to forge a relationship with them, should things not work out. They are an incredible entity that I think will make the sport better."

It will be fascinating to see if teams will soften their stance on the issue in the coming months and allow Andretti to form a team on the grid.