F1 has gone into overdrive mode with the new teams’ buzz. The Andretti-Cadillac announcement was a big conversational point around the motorsport community. As fans are just looking to absorb this happy surprise, another major bid looks set to stroke some more excitement in this saga. Andretti may have some competition to even get an F1 entry from Panthera, an Asian F1 hopeful team.

Panthera had been in conversation to enter F1 since 2019. Though, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the Concorde agreement negotiations, Formula 1 and FIA denied them. But now, as the Expression of Interest protocol is going ahead for new teams, the Asian aspirant feels this is their chance.

In an interview with Planet F1, Panthera team principal Benjamin Durand revealed the team’s aspirations. While Durand has spoken at length about how Panthera wishes to be a truly Asian team in F1, he cited that they have a pre-agreement with an engine manufacturer as well.

He said, “We have had a discussion with basically everybody in the paddock right now. We have on paper a pre-agreement with one of the manufacturers.” Benjamin spoke about how they still wish to assess all options before their target entry in the year 2026.

There may be up to 6 engine manufacturers in 4 years’ time as per him, thus, they are being careful about the power unit. The Panthera boss added, “We are not locked in with anybody right now. We have a pre-agreement with one of them but it’s just a letter of intent.”

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Panthera certainly is following suit with Andretti as the American team has also potentially lined up a deal with an F1 engine manufacturer. Nonetheless, it is going to be an interesting battle as the FIA looks to gauge the interest of these new teams to enter the F1 circus.

Panthera – Andretti’s competition for the New Team spot in F1

Trying to become the first truly Asian team in F1, Panthera’s efforts are finally making some gains. Their pitch to Formula 1 and the FIA is for the potential of the Asian market for the sport. While F1’s authorities have focused on the American market, Panthera feels there is a huge opportunity in the east too.

The team boss, Benjamin Durand, revealed that they are ready to resume their operations. The team is just waiting for the FIA’s and F1’s green light. Meanwhile, Durand also spoke about plans for an Asian base and an Asia-based Driver academy too. Panthera feels it may be easy to build the team in the UK as everyone does, but they don’t wish to take the easy way.

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Nevertheless, it is great to see the team’s willingness to develop the sport in Asia. In the largest continent of the world, Panthera may get a huge scope for talent and resources, if they plan right. Similar to Andretti’s wish for an American driver, Panthera may also want an Asian driver.

And Durand explicitly mentioned Zhou Guanyu and Yuki Tsunoda as the prime candidates, if the teams get the green light. Still, it is a long way to go, as there are a lot of aspects for Panthera to sort out. Yet, they can help F1 expand the 20-car grid to 22 or 24, depending on how many teams get approved.

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It may have not made as much noise as Andretti-Cadillac, but if Panthera is getting the fundamentals right, we may have them on the grid in 2026. Still, it will be a tight battle as Formula 1 has a lot more interested teams. So, not everyone is destined to have their cars going at 200 mph at the pinnacle of motorsport. What do you think about Panthera’s F1 bid?