F1 Gossip: Panthera Team Asia targets 2022 entry

Could a new Formula 1 team entry be on the cards for 2022? It's in the latest gossip column...

- The Asian Formula 1 Panthera Team still maintains its hopes of being able to enter F1 in 2022 when new regulations come into force, having initially hoped for a grid slot in 2021 (TribuneNews)

- For the first time, Formula 1 chairman Chase Carey has admitted that the sport’s owners are preparing for “the remote possibility of no racing in 2020”, though he emphasised championship officials are “increasingly confident” of holding a 2020 season (BBC) 

- The chances of a Miami Grand Prix being on the calendar for the 2022 Formula 1 season are “excellent”, according to Tavo Hellmund, the promoter who brought F1 to Austin’s Circuit of the Americas in 2012 and back to Mexico City in 2015 (AutoWeek) 

- Ferrari is reportedly lining up McLaren’s Carlos Sainz as its ‘Plan B’ option if Sebastian Vettel does not sign a new deal (AS.com) 

- Meanwhile, Sky Sports understands that while talks are continuing between Ferrari and Vettel, reports of firm offers being made are premature (Sky Sports) 

- GPDA chairman Alexander Wurz says Formula 1’s expertise in safety will allow it to minimise the risk of holding races behind closed doors (RaceFans)

- A full-time factory McLaren effort for IMSA and the WEC under the new LMDh regulations is being considered by the team’s CEO Zak Brown (RACER) 

- The W Series has launched an all-female online racing championship aimed at diversifying “what has previously been seen as a predominantly male-dominated activity” (ESPN)