Following reports in the German media, 1997 world champion Jacques Villeneuve has confirmed that he is seeking an entry in the 2011 Formula One World Championship.

On Thursday, Germany's Auto Motor und Sport claimed that Villeneuve had lodged an application with the FIA in the name of Villeneuve Racing, joining the Cypher Group and Joan Villadelprat's Epsilon Euskadi as the main hopefuls.

Speaking to BBC Sport today, Villeneuve confirmed his intention to return to Formula One though he was unwilling to say whether he was intending to drive for his own team.

"I've never made it a secret that I'm working hard on an F1 project," he said. "But I've not discussed the details or what my plans were and I won't be drawn on it now. I'm not commenting."

Ever since the Canadian left F1 in 2006, having been replaced by Robert Kubica at BMW halfway through the season, he has talked of a return. Indeed, earlier this year he was linked with the still-born Serbian outfit Stefan GP, which turned out to have no money, no entry and no car.

While there are three teams thought be under consideration for the thirteenth slot, the perilous financial situation of at least one of the existing outfits, combined with comments made recently by Bernie Ecclestone, suggest that we will be lucky to have twelve teams on the grid next year never mind thirteen.