FIA president Jean Todt has revealed that he is considering putting out tenders for new teams to enter the sport.

It seems incredible, but with HRT long gone, Caterham's limp, tired body still warm and Marussia seeking to contest the 2015 season on peanuts, the FIA president Jean Todt - that's him pictured with Niki Lauda in case you haven't seen him recently and forget what he looks like - is seriously considering opening up a fresh tender process to encourage more new teams.

"I am not happy for Marussia and Caterham and I sympathize for them, but it has always happened," he told the New York Times. "But in 2016 we have a new team coming, and we may make a tender again for one or two teams to encourage teams. And try to reduce the costs."

Whilst anticipating the arrival of a fully-fledged American F1 team, many still doubt the way Gene Haas has gone about things, effectively creating a new team from the ground-up rather than buying any one of a number of existing outfits. Then there is the whole concept of why a successful businessman, such as Haas, would feel the need to tread the same path many other have trod without success.

That's a question for Mr Haas of course; however, whilst agreeing that engine costs need to be looked at "that is one of the things that is being addressed to find a solution," Todt assures us, there doesn't appear to be any sign of the sort of budget restrictions that will prevent others going the same way as HRT and Caterham, certainly whilst the big teams exercise such power.

Todt, who has made no secret of his political aspirations, which go way beyond motor sport, also remains a staunch supporter of the new formula introduced in 2014, even though it drove costs ever higher.

"I feel it is one of the few sensible decisions which has been taken over the last period," he said. "Formula One is the pinnacle of motor sport, so we must be an example to society. It is not all happening in a kind of closed golden-gated community where nothing is happening on the other side of the world."

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by Canuck, 07/03/2015 14:04

"I think he is only thinking of how much the FIA can profit from fees of new entries and fees for submissions. The only thing he has done for the sport is increase the cost, weaken the FIA position by giving team voting rights on everything that undermine the sport, give the FIA new headquarters that are much more costly and then hide from the public. Where is the leader that was so strong when heading Ferrari?

I don't know how the privateers can survive under his regime. As much as I disliked Max, he at least showed leadership, which Todd as completely lost."

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2. Posted by Hondawho?, 07/03/2015 7:11

"Maybe it's time to think"entertainment" rather than cars or technical issues ? Do fans lock onto the sport because the cars have a special nose cone or is it they like the brand of car or they want to see two drivers "racing" ? There are many reasons why 450m watch it on TV albeit the numbers are slightly down? It should be for entertainment I would have thought and like anything these days it's costs money to promote and to do the job properly.

There are many "personal thoughts" on these web pages but possibly it's the contributors, me included sometimes who may become carried away with our own thoughts rather than look at the bigger picture.

If a new "team emerges" from Manor (and we wish them well) perhaps it may not be car manufacturer but a team who wishes "just to race and entertain". For them to do so they need the latest platform to perform and that is where the issues maybe?

I have noticed on other subjects here this week it's becoming obvious that we all realise the World in in difficulty, maybe sport between nations can help but to do it someone has to organise it and should we be complimenting promoters who try? I think so, they are dammed if they do and dammed if they don't."

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3. Posted by Jonno, 06/03/2015 22:41

"I've seen other references to Todt's political ambitions, but no details. Can PitPass tell us more.

As for encouraging more teams into F1 - no chance all the time Bernie & CVC control the purse strings. No business can afford to throw £200m at a sport with no chance of getting a return and the only publicity likely to be negative."

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4. Posted by Editor, 06/03/2015 18:44

"@ GordonW

Plant pots and toasters ;-)"

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5. Posted by GordonW, 06/03/2015 18:33

""Whilst anticipating the arrival of a full-ledged American F1 team" - would that be "fully fledged" by any chance (or do they just have a window sill that's crowded with plant pots)?"

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6. Posted by Hondawho?, 06/03/2015 15:32

"FIA sorry wrong sport!
"

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7. Posted by Hondawho?, 06/03/2015 15:11

"FIM and motorsport imploding under his leadership, needs a good story to cover his tracks! Can you imagine it "it was everyone else's fault not mine"! Exile him to Elba I say!"

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Todt contemplating tendering for new F1 teams

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