Maserati chief executive officer Davide Grasso has refused to rule out the possibility of the manufacturer returning to Formula 1, but admits that it is not currently on the horizon.
Maserati won nine races in 43 starts in the 1950s – Formula 1’s first championship decade – and early 1960s.
The Italian auto-maker was part of the first-ever championship grand prix at Silverstone in 1950.
Though they did not claim any Constructors’ Championships, they won the Drivers’ Championship on two occasions with Juan Manuel Fangio, in 1954 and 1957.
They would eventually depart F1 after the 1960 United States Grand Prix, but stayed on as an engine supplier.
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They powered the Cooper Maserati team to two wins and seven podiums in 23 race starts between 1960 and 1969, finishing third in the Constructors’ Championship in both 1966 and 1967.
After Cooper folded at the end of 1969, the Maserati name was never to be seen in F1 again, but the suspected arrival of two other motoring giants has sparked up rumours of a return for the Italian manufacturer.
Audi and Porsche are rumoured to be looking to enter F1 in 2026 with Red Bull and McLaren.
They are seeking to jointly make a powertrain for both of the teams, as rumours continue to fly that, pending the green light from Volkswagen, Audi are about to purchase a share in the McLaren Group.
McLaren have, however, stressed that there has not been a change in their ownership structure.
Maserati’s name has now been brought into the conversation of famous brands that could wriggle their way into the pinnacle of motorsport, and Grasso does not see why this cannot happen in the future.
“You mean the other championship run by my friend Stefano Domenicali?” he jovially replied when asked by ABMS if his company was seeking to branch out.
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“Time will tell. Formula 1 is the premier class, the most important championship for racing cars, a great competition,” he added.
The Italian cited the two championships Fangio won in F1 with Maserati while reminiscing about the old days of the manufacturer, but refused to be drawn into talks of an immediate return.
“Maserati was there, won the World Championship with Juan Manuel Fangio. So the question is not out of place, but it’s not topical at the moment.”
Maserati have already confirmed that they will be entering a team into the Formula E Championship in 2023.
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