F1 in talks with new manufacturer - Stefano Domenicali

Formula 1

F1 in talks with new manufacturer - Domenicali

F1 will have just three manufacturers on the grid for 2022

Ewan Gale

Monday 1 February 2021 11:09

Formula 1 boss Stefano Domenicali has revealed the sport is in talks with a new manufacturer interested in joining the grid.

Former Ferrari team principal Domenicali took over at the helm of F1 from Chase Carey at the turn of the year after the American stepped aside following four years in charge.

With Honda leaving at the end of the upcoming season, F1 will be left with just three manufacturers from 2022 in Mercedes, Ferrari and Renault, although there is hope another could join at some point in the near future.

"What I can say is that we are in discussion with other manufacturers," he told Sky Sports F1.

"For the moment, they prefer to stay quiet still. But the good news is that there are other companies who are really keen to understand what the value is they can bring home in using the F1 platform.

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"Not only in terms of technology, but the value F1 can bring to automotive manufacturing. I think one of the biggest challenges automotive manufacturing has today is to feel younger."

With sustainability and a push for carbon-neutrality a hot topic in the automotive industry as of late, F1 has turned to search for a new form of propulsion for the future.

But with manufacturers setting their own goals - which was one of the factors leading Honda to withdraw - Domenicali has reiterated the sport will keep sight of its own objectives before bending to meet the prospective needs of an OEM [original equipment manufacturer].

"There is this kind of fight between the old school of OEM and the new OEMs that are coming in on the mobility side," he explained.

"We are not part of the mobility side in terms of what we want to achieve as a sport, but I think the OEM can use that platform to change the fresh image they maybe need for the future for them."