Zak Brown raises key issue over 12th F1 team rumours

McLaren CEO Zak Brown has raised a key issue over a potential 12th team joining Formula 1 following increased rumours of interest from Chinese manufacturer BYD.

The Chinese electric vehicle brand is believed to be interested in Formula 1, with its vice-president, Stella Li, having recently met Formula 1 CEO and president Stefano Domenicali.

Exploratory talks were held between the pair while Li was recently in attendance at the Monaco Grand Prix. Domenicali is not the only senior figure Li has met, with former Red Bull team principal Christian Horner also having held lengthy conversations with BYD.

That meeting took place in mid-May ahead of Horner attending Formula E's two races in Monaco, with the interaction taking place in Cannes, France.

What remains unclear is whether BYD is considering entering Formula 1 as an entirely new team or becoming a partner of an existing operation on the grid. There is also the question of whether it would have an interest in becoming a power unit supplier.

While Brown has not given much thought to the prospect of a 12th team in the pinnacle of motorsport, an immediate concern he does have is the lack of space in the pit lane at some of the venues on the calendar.

"I haven’t thought about it," said Brown. "I guess if I want to give it two seconds of thought, you’ve got operational issues with some of the circuits, whether they could have the capacity.

"Ultimately, it’s up to the FIA and Formula 1. I think, like before, you just want to make sure the economic balance is right, but I don’t really have a strong view one way or another, nor do I have a vote.

"So, you just lean on the FIA and Formula 1 to ultimately make that decision. If they think it’s good for the sport, then let’s have a 12th team. If they think it’s not, we’ll stay with what we’ve got."