Former Aston Martin and Alpine boss Otmar Szafnauer has revealed a mystery car manufacturer wants to join F1 as a 12th team.

F1 welcomes Cadillac as an 11th team from 2026.

For the first time in a de🌱cade, 22 cars will be on the grid forꩲ the season-opening race next year.

Initially, the teams were firmly against an 11th team due to concern▨s about dilating the prize pool.

However, after months of negotiations, F1 approved Cadillac’s entry to join the grid🌱 in 2026.

There is now talk of a 12th t♛eam, with Szafnauer playing a key role in the project.

F1 last ha🎀d 12 teams in 2012, before HRT’s exit at the end of the year.

In an interview w🌠ith The Race, Szafnauer ไexplained that this team has the finances to join the grid.

“The finances are in place,” Szafnauer said. “What I can tell you is that the financiers are serious people and they hཧave the financial wherewithal to be able to fund a Formula 1♛ team.

“The car manufacturer that also wants to join Formula 1’s in place. It’s just a matter of the timing being right to actually get the opportunity to start the 12th team. And perhaps in the near future꧙, there might be some for sale.”

Szafnauer admitted that they would be prepared t🙈o take over an existing team.

In recent yea❀rs, there has been speculation surrounding Alpine’s long term fuജture in the sports, particularly since the closure of their works engine project.

“It’s difficult when people aren’t selling,” Szafnauer added. “And I understand wh💮y - there’s a new Concorde coming, that’s all been agreed.

“And thereafter, there are nine 🎀owners and they all have different outlooks on life,🀅 on Formula 1, on how long they want to be in, on the reasons they’re in.

“So hopefully, and in the not too distant future, some of them will say, ‘You know what? I’ve had my time in Formul♓a 1, perhaps it’s a good time to sell’.”

Szafnauer confident of success

Szafnauer believes joining the grid in 2028ꦫ or 2029 would be realistic if F1 invites them to submit an Expression of Interest.

The team 𒊎would have to prove to F1 that they have the financial and technical capability to compet꧙e in F1.

Szafnauer is confident the team will have the t🅷ools required to comp♐ete in F1 once given the green light.

“I think with the resources I’ve put together, within a short time, I could be comജpetitive,” Szafnauer added. “I would hire the right individuals. I think I can get them to come. The car manufacturer that will produce a powertrain will be very competent.

“And the financial backing that ✨I’ve been able to put together means that we would have a new windtunnel, new R&D facilities, new factory - a little bit like what Lawrence Stroll did.

“That probably takes two to three years from a standstill - but in those two-to-three yearsꦐ, if you put the right people together, you can also develop the s😼imulation tools you need to be competitive, then within three-to-four years be competitive.

“When I was at British American Racing, in year two we finished tied f🍌ourth in points in the world championship, and we started from nothing - three🌌 employees. I was operations director then, so I remember what it took to do that.

“I don’t know when or if the process 🐻for a 12th team will open up, but if it does, I want to be ready. And if it opens up relatively soon, then ’28, ’29 would be a fair timeline to get racing.”