Ex-Alpine boss Otmar Szafnauer targets 12th F1 team with full funding, new engine project, and factory plan by 2030.
Could we soon see a 12th team join the Formula 1 grid, expanding the lineup to 24 cars? That’s the ambitious project Otmar Szafnauer is currently spearheading, though it remains far from becoming a reality.
The former Force India and Alpine team boss is working behind the scenes to launch what he describes as a serious new entry into F1. While details are scarce, Szafnauer insists the project is backed by significant resources and credible partners.
So who exactly is behind this potential new team? Is there a manufacturer involved, or a group of investors? Speaking to The Race, Szafnauer shared a few key insights, and dropped some major hints.
“The funding is in place,” he stated.
“What I can tell you is that the investors are serious people with the financial capacity to run a Formula 1 team.”
More importantly, Szafnauer confirmed that a car manufacturer, a proper automotive brand, is aligned with the project. That support could be crucial, especially after the FIA only approved General Motors’ Cadillac-backed entry due to its OEM involvement.
“The manufacturer interested in entering Formula 1 is already on board,” he confirmed.
“It’s really just a matter of timing to have the right opportunity to launch a 12th team.”
He didn’t rule out acquiring an existing team either, possibly Alpine, the very squad that ousted him not long ago.
“Maybe in the near future, some teams will be up for sale,” Szafnauer said.
Given the steep $600 million anti-dilution fee now in place for new teams, buying an existing entry could make more financial sense.
“It’s hard when no one’s selling,” he added.
“And I understand why, there’s a new Concorde Agreement coming for 2026 to 2030, and everything is already in motion.”
“There are nine ownership groups in F1 today, each with their own vision, commitment level, and reasons for being here. Hopefully, in the not-too-distant future, someone might say, ‘You know what? I’ve had my run in Formula 1. Maybe now is the right time to sell.’”
The biggest hurdle? F1 isn’t particularly keen to expand the grid. Even GM had to fight hard for approval. While FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem remains open, especially to a Chinese entry, the sport itself has been more cautious.
A New Engine Supplier by 2030?
As for the timeline, Szafnauer is realistic. Without immediate hiring, the earliest viable entry would be 2028. A more natural target could be 2030, coinciding with the new Concorde Agreement and the next power unit regulations.
“With the resources I’ve assembled, I believe I could be competitive fairly quickly,” he said.
“I’d hire the right people, I’m confident I can attract top talent. The automaker backing us would also develop a strong power unit.”
The project is clearly ambitious, a new engine supplier, a brand-new facility, and significant investment. Yet the origin of the funding remains a mystery.
“The financial backing I’ve secured would allow us to build a new wind tunnel, new R&D facilities, and a new factory, similar to what Lawrence Stroll did with Aston Martin,” he explained.
“From scratch, that would take two to three years, but if you assemble the right people early on, you can simultaneously develop the simulation tools needed to compete. Within three to four years, you could be competitive.”
Szafnauer also pointed to his past experience building a team from the ground up.
“Back at British American Racing, in our second year (2000), we tied for fourth in the championship with Benetton, and we started with just three people,” he recalled.
“I was Operations Director at the time, so I remember exactly what it took to achieve that.”
“I don’t know when or if the process to apply for a 12th team will open, but if it does, I want to be ready. If it happens relatively soon, 2028 or 2029 would be a realistic timeline to hit the track.”
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