Martin Brundle has expressed his support for an expanded Formula 1 grid, saying that the current 20-car field is “not quite enough of a show”.
The former driver-turned-pundit’s comments come following the formal launch of the FIA’s application process that allows prospective teams to apply for a spot on the grid in the near future as well as Red Bull announcing their partnership with Ford.
Speaking to Sky Sports F1 after the launch of Red Bull’s RB19, Brundle stated that an expansion from 10 to 12 teams would only enhance the sport and its grandeur on track.
“Getting more teams in is a logistical thing as well as a financial aspect. You know, will they fit in the pit lane, the paddock, on the grid?
“How many cars do we need? I think 24 cars will be great personally, we’ve got 29 races this season, 23 grands prix and six sprint races with 20 cars on the grid.
“I don’t think it’s quite enough of a show, personally, and opportunity.”
Andretti-Cadillac are currently the only outfit that has publicly disclosed their ambitions to join F1 as a new entry, but this has been met coldly by existing teams largely due to the expected dilution of the sport’s prize fund.
Reacting to the Red Bull and Ford partnership that was officially unveiled in New York on Friday, nine-time podium finisher Brundle said that the “deluxe sponsorship” agreement is similar to other recent partnerships Red Bull has held in recent years.
“If you look at the Ford thing, it’s a halfway house really – it’s an interesting one,” he said.
“Red Bull had Infiniti on for a while, then it had Aston Martin on the side of it for a while before Aston got their own team, so this is a branding thing.
“What I find most interesting here is all of the world’s car manufacturers are totally focused on electric cars, EVs, coming up.
“And yet if you look at the Ford announcement today, they love the idea of the technology, sustainability, sustainable fuels and the opportunity and then, basically, eyeballs – the number of people who are watching Formula 1 now who are not watching other formula with just battery power, for example.
“So it’s interesting that they’re even wanting to be involved in Formula 1, but it’s just the might that it has at the moment. So they’re coming in in different ways. Overall, it is really good news for F1.”
Formula 1 now has six manufacturers lined up as engine suppliers from 2026: Ferrari, Mercedes, Alpine, Red Bull Ford, Audi and Honda.
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