21/03/2019
NEWS STORY
No sooner had Jean Todt and Chase Carey claimed that there was "real interest" from new teams keen to enter F1, than several of the existing teams queried whether new teams are actually needed.
"It is one of our strategic goals," said Carey, "we want to make the sport more attractive to potential new entrants. That is a key goal we have, it is certainly a goal in the 2021 regulations. I think we've got to solidify those regulations to have those discussions.
"I've had a number of, more on the team side than the engine side, a number of potential new entrants that have expressed interest and enthusiasm if we provide a structure that they think enables it to be something they could enter more constructively," he continued. "I do think there's actually interest on the team side, but I think we have to finalise what it looks like so they can evaluate it accordingly."
"I always go quality over quantity," said Christian Horner, just twenty-four hours later. "I think we've got ten teams that are in pretty decent health at the moment compared to previous years and I think that as we are seeing, when the grid is expanded, none of those teams that came in a few years ago are still here today."
Of course, Horner is talking of the three teams that entered F1 in 2010, all on the promise of cheaper, competitive engines and a budget cap. All three long gone.
"In Formula One, the cost of entry is so high it's virtually impossible unless you're an OEM or multi- multi-billionaire and sometime not even that's enough," Horner continued.
"I think we've got a good balance at the moment. I would prefer that we look after what we've got and have good quality and a closer grid than just inviting more entries for the sake of filling the grid shot and being more cars to lap."
"I think it's important that the starting grid looks complete and that for the live spectators that you see lots of cars going around the track," said Toto Wolff, his team, like Red Bull the direct 'descendent' of a former team that ran into trouble, "but I think we are in a decent place right now for Formula One and the value of the teams is more important, to keep those franchises limited to attract the best brands to enter or participate in existing teams. I think that is the most important thing going forward."
"I think that what's important is the number of teams that are competitive and can really directly contribute to the show and can pretend that they are expecting to win," argued Cyril Abiteboul, his own team already having served notice that it will leave F1 (again) unless the sport's powers-that-be make good on their proposals for post-2020.
"But if there is a business model which is sustainable for twelve competitive teams, I think that that should be what is looked at," he concluded.
Indeed, rather than talking about twelve teams, perhaps Carey and Todt should be giving careful consideration to how they would replace the likes of Red Bull (and Toro Rosso) and Renault, should they carry out their recent threats, not to mention Haas and even Mercedes, which must surely be seriously considering how much longer it really needs F1 for, especially as it prepares for its Formula E venture.