» A twelfth team on the F1 grid?

Formula 1 could return to having twelve teams on the grid in 2015, with the FIA announcing that it has invited expressions of interest for a new team to join the series.

Those wishing to put forward “a formal expression of interest” must do so by January 3, with more details of subsequent shortlisting rounds to follow thereafter.

“The FIA has decided to open a new selection process to identify a candidate team to participate at a competitive level in the FIA Formula One World Championship from the start of the 2015 or the 2016 season up to 2020 inclusive,” a statement from the sport’s governing body reads.

“"The overall long-term interests of the Championship will determine which candidates are selected.”

Formula 1 hasn’t had a new team join the grid since Virgin Racing (now Marussia), Lotus Racing (subsequently Team Lotus and now Caterham) and Hispania Racing (subsequently the HRTF1 Team) were granted entries for the 2010 season.

The HRTF1 Team folded at the end of the 2012 season due to financial problems, reducing the grid size to eleven two-car teams.

Neither of the other two teams has managed to score a championship point-scoring finish to-date.