F1 has “real interest” from potential new teams – Carey

Formula 1 Management CEO Chase Carey says the sport has had genuine expressions of interest from potential new entrants.

FIA president Jean Todt said last week he would like to expand F1’s entry from 10 to 12 teams. Carey said bringing new teams in is one of his aims and there is “real interest” among possible newcomers.

“One of our strategic goals is we want to make the sport more attractive potentially with entrants,” he said in a press conference at the Australian Grand Prix. “I think that’s a key goal we have.”

Carey said the sport has an opportunity to attract new teams with its new rules package for 2021. “It is certainly a goal in the 2021 regulations,” he said. “I think we’ve got to solidify those regulations to have those discussions.

“Actually I have had a number – more on the teams side than the engines side – of potential new entrants that expressed interest and enthusiasm if we provide a structure that they think enables it to be something that they could enter more constructively. I do think there’s actually interest on the teams side but I think we have to finalise what it looks like so they can evaluate accordingly.”

Carey echoed Todt’s view that F1 must have “quality, not quantity” in its roster of teams. He also played down the likelihood of attracting a new engine manufacturer in the near future.

“I think on the engine suppliers, we have four suppliers today so realistically we’ve got a strong body of engine suppliers. We always want it to be open for more.

“But on the teams side I think there really is interest if we can provide a framework that they feel from a competitive and a business model perspective is attractive to them.”

Only one new start-up team, Haas, has entered F1 in the last nine seasons.

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