These Are Automakers That Should Join F1 Next, According To Our Readers

Ford.

A good ol’ fashioned GM-Ford fistfight mid-pack would be great. GM & Ford crew at the Caffè Milano in Monaco ordering well done steaks and Coors.

Make this happen.

Ford’s already going to be an engine supplier, so why shouldn’t they also build their own car? It just makes sense. Also, Coors rocks.

Suggested by: 900turbo

If we’re taking this question seriously, then it really has to be noted that realistically the only reason Cadillac got in is because they are committed to being a full works team that build their own engines by 2028. Which means that any other prospective automaker would almost certainly have to meet the same bar, which will preclude the vast majority of them because making your own F1 engine is a monumentally expensive and complicated task - none of the boutique supercar/hypercar manufacturers are remotely realistic options.

So that leaves the giant multi-national types. GM is already committed, as is VAG via Audi in 2026. Honda and Mercedes are already in, and Stellantis has the Ferrari connection. Renault literally JUST decided to quit being a works team and run Mercedes engines instead because they could never be competitive in the turbo hybrid era. Ford could probably do it if they wanted to, but they already have the (appears-to-be-mostly-branding) partnership with Red Bull Powertrains.

Then we have the ones who have been involved with F1 in the past. Toyota’s last foray into F1 was a huge disaster, but they’re partnered with Haas now and maybe that’s them dipping their toes into the water again. For BMW, maybe the peer pressure of both Mercedes AND Audi being in F1 will re-ignite the competitiveness of some executive there, but I feel like they’re much more focused on the GT/hypercar programs instead.

So who does that leave? Lotus has the name and heritage, and the parent company Geely does have the resources, but I really doubt any of the Chinese automakers would be remotely interested. Hyundai? That might be the most likely, but I would still firmly but that in the “extremely unlikely” camp.

We were not taking this question seriously, but I appreciate that you did. Also, you just know Hyundai’s N division would kill for the chance to develop an F1 car.

Suggested by: GokieKS

John Deere, obviously!

There we go. That’s the spirit. If people are mad F1 isn’t green enough, adding John Deere would fix that.

Suggested by: ceragan42

With all it took to get back to 11 teams, forget about any other new team, let alone a new OEM joining.

Here’s the problem with big OEM’s: They tend to leave when there’s a big economic downturn. Look at what happened in 2008. Toyota, BMW and Honda left all at once.

Back then BMW was a joint venture with Sauber, so the team managed to ink a last minute engine deal with Ferrari and stay on the grid as BMW Team Sauber-Ferrari, Honda was bought back by Ross Brawn and Toyota who was allegedly going to field a WC-winning car just vanished. All in all F1

With Cadillac becoming an engine supplier in 2028, it’s safe to say that the grid is full until at least the end of the 2026 regulation era.

With that said, if I has to drop a car company it would have to be Toyota.

Get your grounded to the ground jokes in while you still can, folks.

Suggested by: Margin Of Error

Ill be brutally honest. None it sure doesn’t seem worth it.

Imo Honda proved this with Red bull. They walked in, took a couple years, then beat mercedes 7 in a row streak (which again is amazing to think about), and then basically walked away. But the name you remember the most is the team name, an energy drink, not the car brand.

Counterpoint: If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.

Suggested by: Shift24

Koenigsegg

Mostly, because I want to see the unique and creative way Christian comes up with for all the F1 systems. How they do ERS, DRS, etc.

Because, you know it’s not going to be standard in any way, shape, or form.

It isn’t cheating if Christian von Koenigsegg is doing it. No, seriously. Let the man cook.

Suggested by: Knyte

Tesla. The world needs a Tesla CyberF1 car.

/s

I’m no expert, but I hear you generally want a race car to last more than a couple laps before the entire thing falls apart. On the other hand, it would add some entertaining unpredictability to every race, so I’ll allow it.

Suggested by: Midlife Miata Driver

Lockheed. Imagine the skunk works department developing the most ridiculous open wheel race cars

Technically, Lockheed isn’t an automaker, but I make the rules here, and this one can stay. I want to see how they do with the whole “delivering a working product on time and within budget” thing. Also, the FIA would probably appreciate adding a constructor that definitely won’t have any moral objections to, well, anything.

Suggested by: bassracerx

Toyota, obviously, and I mean as a new brand, not just tech.

My real answer, however, is Mazda. I miss them in Endurance racing, and a 787b livery on a F1 car would look BRILLIANT!

Say nice things about Mazda. Get included in AOTD. It’s a tale as old as time.

Suggested by: notatiktoksuprakid

Vinfast. I want to see a team whose cars all fall apart as they roll off the grid.

But seriously, Stellantis needs a kick in the ass to get going, so an entry under either Alfa (but not a Ferrari this time) or DS maybe.

Alfa and Sauber are no longer together, so it only makes sense for Alfa to rejoin in an attempt to upstage their ex. Also, say what you will about VinFast’s garbage cars, but its owner is a billionaire.

Suggested by: Holt Williams via Facebook