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F1 to welcome 11th team

06/10/2005

Next year's Formula One season could be contested by 11 teams, the outgoing BAR Honda team has revealed today.

Ten teams have challenged for this year's constructors' championship with Renault and McLaren storming ahead of the others.

But speaking at a team press conference for this weekend's Japan grand prix at Suzuka, BAR boss Nick Fry and Honda Racing president Yasuhiro Wada both suggested a new team could be introduced to the F1 circuit in 2006.

However, neither chief would confirm the identity of the new team, leaving speculation mounting.

"Discussions have now moved to a point with an independent team where we felt it was appropriate to say something about those discussions," Fry said.

"Discussions have progressed reasonably well but they are far from complete. That's a few weeks away."

Fry added: "The intention is for [the new team to enter in] 2006. Obviously it's a tall order between now and then but that is the objective. There's a lot to be done."

Former Jordan sporting director Trevor Carlin and the Japanese outfit Dome have both been linked with the new team but both have refused to comment.

Meanwhile, BAR's Japanese driver Takuma Sato has said he is being lined up to drive for the new, as yet unnamed, team.

The 28-year-old, who has lost his place with BAR for 2006, is racing on home soil this weekend but took time to comment on his future in F1.

"It's not confirmed that this new team will race but I have received an offer," he said.

"I'm not planning to quit Formula One. I've come this far so my motivation is to continue in F1. I have to keep going and look for a solution. I'm determined to race on in Formula One."

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