Iconic red Ferrari’s could be lining up on the IndyCar grid in the USA by 2022. This prospect has taken a step closer to reality following comments from Team principal Mattia Binotto following the latest news on Formula 1 team budget limits.

Under new proposals, F1 budgets would be capped at $145 million and this would not be enough to utilise all Ferrari employees and team resources, who may then be put to work on other projects.

Mattia Binotto told SkySport Italia, “Ferrari feels a lot of social responsibility towards its employees and we want to be sure that for each of them there will be a workspace in the future. For this reason we have started to evaluate alternative programs, and I confirm that we are looking at IndyCar as well as the world of endurance racing and other series. We will try to make the best choice."

Binotto added that although IndyCar and F1 are very different, the introduction of hybrid engines to the US series in 2022 might suit Ferrari.

The current speculation has echoes of 1986 when Ferrari actually constructed a prototype of a car to race in the American CART series. The move was made in reaction to changes in F1 engine regulations. However, the Ferrari 637 (above) never actually raced on track.