Formula 1 boss Stefano Domenicali delivered not one but two cryptic messages on Monday regarding the future of Grand Prix racing, hinting that "good news" is on its way.
The Italian first penned a 'State of the Nation' piece that was published on F1's official website in which he offered a review of the sport's current state as well as some general comments on the draft calendar that was released last week and F1's prospects for 2022.
Domenicali then alluded to F1's future "beyond" next season.
"Regarding the future beyond 2022, there will be some other good news coming out soon, which I don’t want to spoil by saying now," he wrote.
"We are going in the right direction and have reached a point where we can choose where F1 will go in the future.
"We have so many requests to host a Grand Prix. It shows our platform is attractive with more and more governments seeing it as an opportunity to develop their businesses, local economy and awareness of their community. Exciting times ahead."
While the comments offered little clues as to the nature of the "good news" that awaits, the F1 boss delivered a second cryptic message in a video posted in the afternoon by… Flavio Briatore on Instagram.
Domenicali and Briatore are seen in a meeting room surrounded by members of F1's staff when the former quips: "So stay tuned, lots of fun for the next season in Formula 1".
But it was Briatore who provided perhaps a defining piece of the intriguing puzzle.
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"New energy, new power, new excitement… Formula 1", asserted the Flamboyant former team boss with a complicit smile.
Under the video, Briatore added: "A brand new chapter in Formula One is about to start: we will bring you all the excitement, the entertainment, the fun and energy that this fantastic sport deserves!"
Briatore's presence in the frame is as puzzling as the intrigue itself.
Was the 71-year-old Italian alluding to the arrival in F1 of a new team, engine supplier or constructor? Or was he perhaps hinting at his own sensational return to the sport in some capacity?
Potential assumptions range from the confirmation of Andretti Autosport taking over Sauber-Alfa Romeo, to a commitment from Porsche or Audi to enter F1 as an engine supplier, or perhaps to a promotional role entrusted by F1 to Briatore in the future.
Speculation will no doubt ramp up in the coming days, with a disclosure and official announcement perhaps taking place at the US Grand Prix later this week.
We thus patiently wait…
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