A new team next year?

Along with the announcement that Honda will own 100% of BAR by next year, the manufacturer mentioned that it is considering supplying engines to a new F1 team. There's scant information about this purported team but Takuma Sato, who will leave BAR at the end of this season, has apparently received an offer to drive for the new outfit.

"It's not confirmed that this new team will race but I have received an offer," Sato said. "I'm not planning to quit Formula One. I've come this far so my motivation is to continue in F1. I have to keep going and look for a solution. I'm determined to race on in Formula One."

Honda's Hiroshi Oshima told reporters that it was possible Honda may supply the team. "Nothing has been decided yet as far as drivers or engines go but Bernie Ecclestone has given the team his blessing and Honda are looking into the possibility of supplying their engines," he said.

Given the Sato and Honda links perhaps the new team may have Japanese backing but nobody appears willing to put a name to whoever is supposedly going to run it. There has been no official announcement recently from a new team, or even any speculation, so it's all a bit of a mystery.

McLaren has been rumoured to be planning on running a 'B' team in the future and some time ago Team Dubai was allegedly going to enter the sport. But so far nothing definite has emerged; a new team or two would be good for the sport but let's wait and see.