The FIA has revealed it has received approaches from new teams looking to join the Formula 1 grid.
The world motorsport governing body president Jean Todt confirmed the interest, which arrives amid reports a Chinese consortium is planning to form a team.
Speculation of possible teams eyeing grid slots have been circulating although firm plans are yet to be revealed.
A motorsport.com report has revealed that China F1 Racing Team Limited has been registered as a business name in Britain’s Companies House register.
Todt confirmed at this week’s FIA Sport Conference in Geneva that the FIA has been approached regarding future F1 entries.
He says a tender will be opened when the time is appropriate.
“There are always rumours, but we have had some interest from some teams,” said Todt.
“When we feel it is time we will be able to make a tender.
“At the moment we have ten teams and the idea is to have up to 12 teams. So we have an opportunity, if we have one or two strong newcomers it could be possible.
“First we need to check ourselves the request. It’s going through a kind of audit to see who are the potential buyers.
“If it’s a big manufacturer, it’s easy, if it’s a privateer, you need to be more careful. And then, once you are sure that there is a real interest, and once you’re sure that people are able, like it was the case with Haas, for example, then we make tender.”
Hopes of a new squad being ready to join the grid for next season have been downplayed by Todt.
“No, it would be foolish to think that a new team would be ready in eight months, even less,” he added.
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