Todt wants 12 teams on F1 grid

After the 2021 cost reductions Jean Todt hopes to someday see 24 cars on the grid

(GMM) Jean Todt says he would like to see two new teams in Formula 1.

Throughout 2019, there have been rumors of new teams expressing interest in the sport, including one linked to Formula 2 team owner Adrian Campos that is lining up Pascal Wehrlein as a driver.

FIA president Todt admitted, however, that commercial considerations involving Liberty Media and the existing ten teams remain a big factor.

"The commercial rights holder is in contact with the teams and generates finance with them, but for the regulator which is the FIA, I would prefer twelve teams," he said.

"If you have twelve teams it can take value from each current team, so I can understand that if you say 'Ok, open it up for another team' then you have to consider the loss of value."

However, Todt said discussions with Liberty, led by F1 CEO Chase Carey, are still taking place.

"Chase and I have some interesting proposals and teams willing to commit but we haven't really been convinced. But if we are convinced that a proper team is willing to join, I think twelve is a good number for Formula 1," he said.

But the Frenchman says ten "good, competitive teams" is also currently working well for F1.

Carey agrees: "I don't want ten healthy teams and two struggling teams, but I agree with Jean that twelve healthy teams is better than ten healthy teams."