F1 CEO, Stefano Domenicali remains vehemently opposed to any new teams joining the grid.

Along with the majority of the teams, the former F1 boss, has not held back on his objection to the concept of fresh blood entering the sport, seemingly using any excuse possible, be it logistics, safety, sustainability, the purity of the sport's DNA and, of course, money.

Indeed, while McLaren and Alpine are the only teams that have voiced any kind of support for the idea of a new entrant, the only other welcoming voice has been that of (FIA president) Mohammed ben Sulayem, who has clashed with F1 bosses on a number of issues… hence the fact that he has essentially been air-brushed out of the picture.

Speaking this week, as the deadline by which prospective teams had to register their interest passed, Domenicali doubled-down on his objection.

"I'm not changing my mind," he told Motorsport.com. "It's not the money, as we have said, and I don't want to anticipate anything because there is a process and I think that I have respect for the fact the FIA launched their process, and very soon we will arrive at the conclusion.

"As we always said, we need to make sure that the decision is right for the business," he added. "And this is what I think is the duty of the FIA and us together, that has to be taken. So that is another decision that will be taken in the next couple of months."

It's understood that there are five prospective teams looking to enter the sport - Andretti, Carlin, Hitech, Formula Equal and LKY SUNZ - Andretti, in a bid to give more weight and prestige to its bid, having announced a partnership with General Motors brand Cadillac.

Asked if he see positives to the Andretti bid, Domenicali admitted: "There are positives and negatives, that's part of the evaluation that we're doing. So I cannot spoil or anticipate anything.

"We are doing things very seriously and correctly. So as soon as we will be ready for that discussion we're going to inform, as a discussion we're going to take it with the FIA together."

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by Stitch431, 19/07/2023 5:05

"He is defending the interests of Ferrari here ... a US company like Liberty blocking a US team? No way!"

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2. Posted by RRZX-14, 19/07/2023 3:20

"He has got to go. Doesn't matter how."

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3. Posted by Motorsport-fan, 17/07/2023 12:08

"Whilst there has to be due diligence to stop the likes of an Andrea Moda ever happening again (remember them), you cannot stop the likes of Andretti - Carlin - Hitech from joining just because it dilutes the prize fund for the other teams, that should not be part of the criteria for entry for a prospective entrant. "

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4. Posted by Chester, 17/07/2023 11:54

"What a sad man. His attitude stirs up "Viva la Revolution" in me."

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5. Posted by Superbird70, 17/07/2023 10:43

"@Max Noble- XXIV F1
"

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6. Posted by Max Noble, 17/07/2023 10:14

"Ah the list of F1 denials…

“We have no plans to replace Mr. X.”
“He has a contract, what could change?”
“I sell energy drinks and I’m a huge sponsor.”
“The race is safe.’”
“We will have 23 races.”
“We’re not for sale.”
“We are for sale.”
“Everything we spend is within the cost cap.”

…This is a clear indication we’re getting a new team (if not two…!). As soon as someone senior in F1 denies something, it is usually a 100% certainty. This is Stefano playing to the gallery to get every last $ out of whom ever is selected to get anointed and join the holy tribe… Team Equal, and LKY SUNZ anyone…?

…oh hang on…a late entry from LIV Golf…
"

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7. Posted by elsiebc, 17/07/2023 2:25

"The teams signed on to the Concord agreement. In it it says up to twelve teams. It also has a anti dilution payment of 200M. I don't think the teams have a say because they signed on. So then it's down to what was delegated to F1 and what to the FIA. I think, if it gives the decision making process to the FIA, that Ben should accept two teams at the 200M amount. If F1 doesn't like it let them find a new sanctioning body.

PS: Since the Concord agreement says a max of 12 I would expect accommodations for 12 would be in every circuit's contract. "

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8. Posted by jcr, 16/07/2023 22:37

"Watching SKY reruns on Saturday because of FOS cancellation, Mr Brundle told us about when Michael Schue and Himself ?? challenged Senna, 16 teams, 32 cars racing !! Where did it all go wrong.
Open to correction, I thought that when the tender process was opened it was for 2 new teams ??
Now gone back to one, strange.
Toto has said one of the problems is the circuits cannot facilitate any more teams, Surely that is an error on the part of the FIA, Because the rules state different.
Of course if extra team is from Hollywood No Problem,"

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9. Posted by Celtic Tiger, 16/07/2023 22:07

"I think this guy left his soul on the floor at Lamborghini. If Andretti, Carlin or Hitech are blocked from entering even after complying with all the requirements they need to enter, I'd seriously consider having the EU anti competition take a very close look at Domenicali & co. if I were one of those three. "

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10. Posted by Defiant, 16/07/2023 20:44

"More proof that this man is not to be trusted. The twisting of words and building a false narrative is all he's good for. (@kkk, yes politics is appropriate for a man like this) As for "Against the DNA".... pft statement like that actually annoy me, it wasn't that long ago we had many more teams and the 107% rule was used to weed out the not good enough. "

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11. Posted by KKK, 16/07/2023 17:24

"Enter your comment hereIts about time he leaves himself....go into Italian politics please!"

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12. Posted by ZJAY, 16/07/2023 13:44

"It is all about money and Domenicali’s job is to drive the valuation of F1 up. Restricting the number of participants is one way. He has 10 financially viable teams. No need to have 12 with one or two struggling and being accused of not doing enough to help them. If one of theses potentials had enough money they would be able to afford to buy and existing team. That is how business works. But the don’t.

And if someone suggests that the value of F1 is 20 billion, they disappear. That is because Dominicali’s vision for the value of F1 is closer to 10 times that.

All this maybe sad news to the core fans and the sport, but F1 has been a business more than a sport since they started using one tire supplier. "

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"I'm not changing my mind," says Domenicali of 11th team

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