Brabham team could return to Formula 1

Mario Andretti (Lotus) takes the lead at the start of the 1978 Swedish GP with Niki Lauda right behind in the Brabham fan-car

The Brabham name will make its racing return by entering the World Endurance Championship (WEC) next year, the intended first step in a journey back to the top echelon of motorsport, Formula 1.

The overall program is being masterminded by ex-Grand Prix driver David Brabham, the youngest son of three-time Formula 1 World Champion Sir Jack Brabham, who passed away aged 88 earlier this year.

"I've always wanted to see the Brabham name back in F1," Brabham told British newspaper The Independent.

"I'm not sure the time is right as we all know that several current teams are struggling, but ultimately our goal is to take Brabham back when we have successfully built a new race team via our exciting new business model."

Brabham's return will begin with the team operating an LMP2 car in the WEC from 2015. After the third year of competing, it plans to design, build and race its own LMP1 creation, before assessing a Formula 1 comeback.

The project will be made possible by crowdfunding and a team portal, where people can donate sums of money to become members. Brabham intends to share the experience with fans, including car development and driver selection, with live telemetry, special footage and radio communications from race weekends planned later.

The Brabham team won two Constructors' (1966, 1967) and four Drivers' (1966, 1967, 1981, 1983) F1 titles.