With the FIA’s Expression of Interest deadline of April 30 rapidly approaching, an increasing number of details are being released about some of the prospective sides, most notably, ‘Formula Equal’.
Whilst an incredible amount is already known about Andretti-Cadillac’s potential F1 entry, little has been known about their competitors for the two vacant garages in the paddock, until now.
It has recently been revealed that former British American Racing founder and CEO Craig Pollock is trying to return to the pinnacle of motorsport with the world’s first gender-neutral team, dubbed ‘Formula Equal’.
With reported backing from Saudi Arabia, Pollock’s proposed entry would feature a 50/50 split of male and female employees, with the long-term goal of getting a female driver into the cockpit.
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Following the news of Pollock’s entry, further information has now been released about Hitech GP’s proposed entry and more importantly, who’s potentially linked to it.
The Formula 3 and Formula 2 side are considering a bid to enter their own team into Formula 1, through founder and boss Oliver Oakes.
According to Russian news agency Ria Novosti, ex-F1 driver Nikita Mazepin is supposedly linked to the side through his father Dmitry, who previously had shares in Hitech GP before the conflict in Eastern Europe started last year.
It’s believed by the Russian outlet that Dmitry remains close to Oakes and is now considering entering a team into F1.
Fungosa Management, another company that also used to have shares in Hitech GP, is believed to be associated with the trademarks of the former Haas driver.
Fungosa Management are believed to have ownership links to Mazepin, which have been discovered by Russian media.
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Mazepin’s father has supposedly “not given up” on an F1 team and is “ready to invest” in a project, whether that is in another new side or perhaps his own team altogether.
“Yesterday I had an interesting conversation with an unnamed source close to Mazepin,” said Russian journalist Maria Melnikova.
“It was about the fact that Dmitry Mazepin has not given up the idea of starting his own team in Formula 1 and is ready to invest in a new project.”