Formula 1 chiefs cool speculation of 12th team on grid

Formula 1 officials have dismissed the idea of a 12th team joining the grid before the end of the decade. The sport saw the number of teams increase from 10 to 11 earlier this season when Cadillac joined. FIA chief Mohammed Ben Sulayem has previously expressed openness to a 12th team. Reports have surfaced regarding potential entrants such as Chinese electric vehicle giant BYD and former F1 boss Otmar Szafnauer, but no formal bid with the £300m entry fee has been made.

Liam Parker, F1's chief communications and corporate relations officer, told City AM that "next season's pretty impossible" and that the process of joining the grid takes time. He added that a new regulation cycle with the V8 engine starting in 2030 or 2031 would prevent a team from building a car with the new engine, only to have it rendered obsolete two years later.

The organization is still planning to conclude the season in Abu Dhabi, despite discussions about expanding the calendar to 25 races, which don't include additional European races.