When a man who has navigated the waters of Alpine, Aston Martin, and years of internal Formula 1 politics begins discussing ownership again, it is never a minor detail. Behind Otmar Szafnauer’s words lies an ambition that goes far beyond a simple return to the paddock: it is a search for space in a world where, currently, neither F1 nor IndyCar seems willing to grant easy access.
The twelfth team that cannot find its way
Szafnauer, now a managing partner at Van Amersfoort Racing alongside Rafael Villagómez Sr., is part of a consortium dreaming of founding a twelfth Formula 1 team. It is a declared project, yet one without a clear path to entry.
Formula 1, in fact, is offering no openings: no new teams are expected in the near future, and the entry criteria have become almost prohibitive. Because of this, the group is evaluating an alternative plan: IndyCar.
At first glance, it seems like a simpler option. In reality, it is anything but. Entering IndyCar means choosing between two paths: founding a new team or buying an existing one. The first is a leap into the unknown: without a charter—the license that guarantees participation and revenue share—the financial risk is enormous. Furthermore, from 2028, racing without a charter will be impossible. Building a car for just one season, knowing the regulations will change radically in 2028, would be an investment destined to be burned through in twelve months. The example of Prema is telling: a year without a license, no income, economic difficulties, and no presence on the grid for 2026.
Buying a team: the only way, but no one is truly selling
The most logical solution would be to purchase a team that already possesses a license. However, officially, no one is on the market. The only possible exception is Dale Coyne Racing; at 71 years old, the owner might consider this the right time to sell. It is a door left slightly ajar, rather than wide open.
Another opportunity could be Juncos Hollinger Racing (JHR), which has been evaluating the sale of part of its operations for years without ever finalizing a deal. They might be open to the “right offer,” whether for a minority stake or—at the correct price—the entire structure.
But nothing is simple, and nothing is guaranteed. Szafnauer knows this: entering IndyCar today is just as difficult as entering Formula 1.
Otmar Szafnauer has returned to the stage with an ambitious project, but he is navigating a territory where every road is more complex than it appears. F1 is granting no space, IndyCar offers no shortcuts, and the team ownership market is more closed than ever.
Yet, his involvement in the consortium and his vast experience suggest that the game is far from over. It is simply one of those challenges where the first hurdle is finding the right door to open.
This strategic move highlights Szafnauer’s persistence in remaining a key player in top-tier motorsport, proving that even with high barriers to entry, the search for a new competitive project continues.
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