Can AI fill the grid in online races, and max # of players?

[babysick]

Hi guys,

Being new here I hope this hasn't already been asked, apologies if it has.

From the QA interview link, there is talk that the goal was for 16 player grids both offline and online. Does anyone know if that is likely to still be the final number, and if so then as a host do you have the option to fill up empty slots in the online grid with AI cars - either to be swapped out for real players as they join or to be locked in for that race?

thanks.