Potential New F1 Teams That Could Enter Over The Next Decade 28.11.2022: For quite a few years now, F1 has been stuck with around ten teams consisting of twenty drivers. This wasn't always the case. It was only back in 2016 that we had eleven teams on the grid. Back when F1 first got started in the 50s, it wasn't uncommon to s

For quite a few years now, F1 has been stuck with around ten teams consisting of twenty drivers. This wasn't always the case. It was only back in 2016 that we had eleven teams on the grid. Back when F1 first got started in the 50s, it wasn't uncommon to see 40-odd teams competing, as there was little structure.



Nowadays, many more rules and regulations dictate how new teams can enter F1. You will find that most teams enter F1 by taking over an already existing team. Not only is this easier to enter in terms of registration and facilities, but it is also far cheaper. Mercedes boss Toto Wolff recently claimed you would need to offer $1 billion to enter F1 as a new team, with a flat $200 million fee just to join. You would also need to purchase equipment, and facilities, hire staff and drivers and develop the car.





With that in mind, let's look at some potential new teams we could see enter the F1 grid over the next decade or so.






Audi Sauber



Let's start with an early confirmation. Audi recently confirmed they chose Sauber as their partner for their debut in the 2026 F1 season. They did have other choices available to them, reportedly in the shape of McLaren and Williams. It is believed that they chose Sauber over the others due to how much more control would be allowed to them, especially regarding the car's design.


Even though their first season is years away, there is already speculation that Audi wants a German driver at the team's helm. There are likely to be a few options available to them at that point, with the front-runner being Mick Schumacher, assuming he is free by that point.


As you probably know, Sauber is currently fronted by Alfa Romeo, and Sauber is planning on using Ferrari power units until the end of 2025. With the amount of investment going into the team, don't be surprised if we see something interesting start to cook here.






Porsche


Red Bull Racing was having delicate talks with Porsche about a potential partnership for 2026. It seemed likely that this was going to happen until the talks ceased. It was believed they wanted to purchase a 50% stake in Red Bull Technology, the company that designs and builds the car, but we are unsure.


While we don't exactly know what happened to break up this partnership potentially, one thing is certain. Porsche wants to enter Formula One.


This German manufacturer has since moved on to talk to several teams to see what options are available to them. There are several potential teams on the grid that Porsche could look to partner with. It could be McLaren, who has reportedly had financial issues for several years but is unlikely to want to give up a large stake in the team/company.


You would have to be a gambler to know for sure where they will end up. Sports and gambling go hand in hand, which is why many F1 fans play casino games. Always use trusted casino sites and play games you recognise for the safest experience. F1 fans love gambling, and it is a complete gamble to see where Porsche ends up.



On the topic of Red Bull, it is looking more likely that they will partner with Honda once more, following a breakdown of talks with Porsche. Their relationship with Honda is often confusing, as they announced a big goodbye to Honda in 2021 as they look ahead to their own Red Bull Powertrains created in-house. It is confusing as Honda is still involved, but they want to be more involved.






Andretti



This is the big one that is always going around the paddock. If you are unaware of who Mario Andretti is, then you have perhaps been living under a rock. This Italian-American driver has won races across NASCAR, F1 and IndyCar, putting him into an exclusive club.


Mario Andretti has been trying to gain entry to create a new F1 team for several years but recently has claimed that they will be ready to join the grid from 2024. Despite the pushbacks and Formula One CEO Stefano Domenicali insisting F1 doesn't need new teams, Andretti really wants to make this happen.


Mario will continue to apply and will likely continue to apply pressure until he gains access. While Mario is trying to gain access as a completely new team, it's not impossible to see him take over another team. Haas has been mentioned before, but we will have to wait and see.





BMW


BMW are a famous manufacturer that has been involved with F1 in a few different ways over the years. While they haven't entered a race solely under their name since the 1960s, they have been involved in other ways.


For example, they built engines for teams throughout the 1980s up until the 2000s, some of these teams which they supplied found a lot of success, such as when Nelson Piquet won the 1983 world championship under Brabham. It wasn't until 2006, after Williams and BMW's relationship broke down, that they bought Sauber outright.



BMW Sauber lasted for around four years and saw some podiums and success, including one race win under Robert Kubica. Famous drivers include Sebastian Vetter and Juan Pablo Montoya. BMW sold their team back to Sauber's original owner, Peter Sauber, and things have been quiet with BMW since. While they aren't exactly actively looking to get back involved, you can't help but wonder what their future looks like.


With Audi returning to F1 to work with Sauber, you would expect the heads over at BMW to consider options. They would likely look to get involved as an engine manufacturer in some capacity if they were to get involved, but we will have to wait and see. The next decade of F1 is something that perhaps nobody can predict.




A decade ago, who would have thought we would see Aston Martin return to F1, or even Alfa Romeo? Let's see what happens.



    

photos Audi, McLaren on AutoMobilSport.com