Formula 1 looks set to stay at just 10 teams for now.
Recently, FIA president Jean Todt confirmed reports that a couple of groups have expressed interest in filling the last two team places in pitlane.
"If a large manufacturer wants to come in, that is easy," said the Frenchman. "If it is an independent team, we would have to take a closer look."
It now appears as if the interest expressed recently was indeed by parties proposing to launch smaller, independent teams.
Todt said: "Yes, there are enquiries, but nothing that I would describe as serious.
"We now have 10 teams and a good world championship, but ideally we would have 12 teams as is allowed in the current agreements.
"If we would get to the point where a serious request is made, as was the case with Gene Haas, then we would make a new tender."
The 2017 calendar continues with the Singapore Grand Prix next Sunday.
