Liberty CEO Maffei open to expanding F1 grid, sees value in GM

Formula 1’s owners Liberty Media are open to expanding the current grid, with CEO Greg Maffei believing an American manufacturer like General Motors would be a positive addition to the sport.

The FIA is currently analyzing the submissions from potential teams wanting to join the sport in future and will make its recommendations to F1 if it feels any are suitable. With confirmed entries from Andretti Cadillac, Hitech Grand Prix and Formula Equal – among other rumored interested parties – F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali has previously given his opinion that 10 teams is the right number, but Maffei told the Walker Webcast that the Las Vegas circuit construction is taking place with expansion in mind and that he can see an agreement being reached with the right new entrant.

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“Yes, we have accommodated and that will not be a problem in Vegas,” Maffei said. “The real problem is the way the structure works today, there are probably four or five garages and paddock areas that would be difficult to put in an 11th bay. Maybe that’s solvable with money and time, but it’s not something that you snap your fingers and solve.