Rumours say that Campos Racing, in cooperating with Monaco Increase Management (MIM) is working on a comeback on the grid in 2021. In 2010, you probably remember, Campos Racing was granted an entry on the grid for 2010. However, before the season started Adrián Campos sold the team José Ramón Carabante as he failed to gain enough funds for the team to appear on the grid. Wil 2021 be completely different?
A couple of weeks ago the first rumours appeared that some Spanish investors were looking for the possibility to begin a Formula One team, and appear on the grid in 2021. Now, it seems, Campos Racing in cooperation with Monaco Increase Management are planning the debut. To be honest it is not surprising that both Campos and MIM are cooperating, as they know each other well. Salvatore Gandolfo one of the co-owners of Campos is the CEO and founder of MIM. As well, Daniele Audetto used to be the managing director of the defunct Hispania Racing Team.
In the statement released by MIM last Thursday it was said that MIM held an initial meeting with F1 CEO Chase Carey on the 11th of May during the Spanish Grand Prix. At the 15th of May, the following meeting happened at the F1 Group headquarters in London with Ross Brawn, as well on the 31st of July both MIM and Brawn had spoken. It seems that MIM and Campos are in some advanced stage of negotiations with the Formula One and as well with the teams.
Is there anything concrete for Campos Racing? That is the big question. What is sure is that both Peter McCool (former Super Aguri) and Ben Wood (as well former Super Aguri) are already part of the project. McCool is hired as chief aerodynamic and Ben Wood as Technical Director. For the name, presumably, it will be Campos Racing and the team will use the facilities of Campos Racing. Pascal Wehrlein (Former Sauber and Manor racer), the lost talent of you ask me, and Campos youngster Alex Palou are mentioned as drivers. However, for Palou it is unsure, as he has not enough licence points so far.
It could be as well, if Campos Racing arrives in 2021, that Jack Aitken will join the team. Aitken is an Renault junior and would open the doors for both Campos and Aitken.
There are additional rumours for the team, Campos Racing has been in contact with Pirelli already and the team is in “advanced negotiations” with various suppliers. Vague rumours state that Campos is close to Renault with a deal for 2021, keep in mind these rumours are vague. If Campos Racing will appear on the grid in 2021, it will continue with their activities in respectively the Formula 2 and the Formula 3.
There is only one problem, if you can call it like that. Liberty media said that they were not in any serious negotiations with teams for one of the spots that are available on the grid. The deadline for new teams to be approved is on the 30th of October. Besides Campos Racing, also Panthera Team Asia F1 announced their plan to enter the Formula One in 2021, however you don’t hear that much about the team either.
The best chance for an Spanish F1 team the last decades, besides the BRAVO attempt, was from Epsilon Euskadi. Which never had the opportunity to show their capability to run an Formula One team, besides they already had an mock up version of their F1 car.
