Bernie Ecclestone confirms inclusion of two new F1 teams

Bernie Ecclestone is seen during practice for the Malaysia Formula One Grand Prix

President and CEO Bernie Ecclestone of the FOM and FOA has confirmed the news that there will be two new teams included into the Formula one championship. However, the date of their joining the grid remains unknown as that wasn’t revealed by the F1 supremo.

With the FIA still waiting to authorize this decision, it could see the grid reach its 26-car limit barrier. Gene Haas, the owner of NASCAR team Stewart-Haas Racing, has been putting together an outfit and it has been confirmed as one of the teams. The American has been involved in pre-negotiations with the FIA, and it is believed that the team joining him on the F1 circuit will be a Romanian outfit led by former F1 team boss Colin Kolles.

A meeting was scheduled by Ecclestone with FIA President Jean Todt and Ferrari President Luca di Montezemolo at this weekend’s Bahrain Grand Prix. Discussions were held on matters regarding the sport’s ownership affairs and the recent unpopular technical changes.

Ecclestone said on Sunday that he had discussed with FIA president Jean Todt about allowing two new teams to follow up on FIA’s initial plans to include more teams by allowing them to register for the upcoming seasons.

“They will be accepted,” he said in regards to the Haas entry. “We’ve also accepted another team as well. Whether they make it or not is another story. We’re happy to have another couple of teams.

He further added, “I’ve spoken to Jean Todt about it. We agreed yesterday, if two teams want to come in, we’ll let them in.”

Entries to the grid are based on several criteria including technical ability, resources, experience and “the value that the candidate may bring to the championship as a whole”, according to an announcement by the FIA in December inviting new teams to declare their interest in entering the sport in 2015 or 2016.