Formula One could have an American constructor on the starting grid next year after governing body FIA approved an entry for NASCAR team owner Gene Haas on Friday.

The International Automobile Federation (FIA) said it was also considering another application made by former F1 team principal Colin Kolles.

"In close consultation with the commercial rights holder, FIA has accepted the candidature of Haas Formula LLC andis in the process of conducting further investigations for Forza Rossa," FIA said in a statement.

No further details were given but a FIA spokesman confirmed former Jordan, Midland, Spyker, Force India and HRT principal Kolles was behind Forza Rossa with Romanian partners.

"Obviously, we are extremely pleased to have been granted a Formula One license by FIA," Haas said in a separate statement.

"It is an exciting time for me, Haas Automation and anyone who wanted to see an American team return to Formula One.

"Now, the really hard work begins. It is a challenge we embrace as we work to put cars on the grid."

FIA did not say when the proposed new teams were planning on entering.

Last December, FIA called for expressions of interest from potential new entries wanting to compete from 2015 or 2016, and set a January deadline.

There are currently 11 teams licensed on the Formula One starting grid.

FIA also announced after a meeting of its world motor sports council in Marrakech, Morocco, that there would be a meeting of all the teams on May 1 to "clarify the means to achieve a substantial F1 team cost reduction".

FIA president Jean Todt said at the Bahrain Grand Prix last weekend that plans to impose a cost cap in 2015 had been abandoned and measures would come through regulation changes.

(China Daily 04/13/2014 page11)