Curiosity surrounds identity of applicants

The current 11 teams have submitted applications and can expect to be on the 2008 starting grid.

Other applicants are known to include former Minardi owner and aviation entrepreneur Paul Stoddart, and ex-BAR and Benetton team principal David Richards' Prodrive company, which confirmed it had applied earlier on Friday.

Craig Pollock, a BAR founder who is also the manager of Canada's 1997 world champion Jacques Villeneuve, could be another would-be entrant.

"Anybody who puts an entry in is making a huge personal commitment," Pollock told Speedtv.com without confirming or denying his interest.

"It's not a long way away - they'd have a very short time to build up anything. And I wish everybody a lot of luck. It'll be tough for everybody."

Some manufacturers may be planning 'B' teams. Mercedes-powered McLaren are known to be interested in such a step, while others competing in junior series such as GP2 might also want to move up to the top level.

The FIA said applications will be accepted or rejected in the governing body's absolute discretion.

"The FIA will publish the list of cars and drivers accepted together with their race numbers on 28 April, 2006, having first notifed unsuccessful applicants," the FIA said.

All applicants have agreed to pay a 300,000 euro ($363,500 USD) entry fee to the FIA by November 1, 2007, if successful.