FIA opens application process for final slot on 2011 F1 grid
Three new teams made it onto the grid in Bahrain, however, USF1's entry is still vacant
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Saturday, 20, Mar 2010 10:38
By Adam Leveridge.
Motorsport's governing body, the FIA, has opened the selection process for the final entry slot on the 2011 formula one grid.
Four new teams were granted entry to the 2010 championship, with Virgin Racing, Lotus Racing, HRT and USF1, all beating the likes of Prodrive and Lola to the additional grid slots.
However, amid financial turmoil, USF1 failed to make it onto the grid in Bahrain, with Hispania Racing overcoming a similar situation just in time for last weekend's season opener.
Following their demise, USF1 asked for permission to begin their F1 odyssey at the Spanish grand prix in May.
However, the FIA denied their request and the Charlotte-based outfit was forced to defer their entry to 2011, with uncertainty still hanging over the project.
With no guarantee of a recovery from USF1, the FIA announced on Friday that it had kicked off the application process for the spare slot on the 2011 grid.
"The FIA has decided to open a new selection process to identify a candidate team to fill any vacancy that may exist in the FIA F1 world championship at the start of the 2011 season," the FIA said in a statement.
"The FIA may also identify one or more possible 'reserve' entrants to fill such vacancies.
"This selection process will be open to all candidates capable of participating in the championship for 2011 and 2012.
"The overall long-term interests of the championship will determine which candidates are selected."
The FIA's statement continued by stating that all entrants "will be expected to undergo thorough due diligence", setting out criteria for all applicants.
Potential entrants have been asked to demonstrate their technical ability and resources, their ability to raise and maintain sufficient funding for participation in the world championship and their level of experience and expertise in motorsport, to allow the FIA to determine the value of each candidate to the sport.
"The timing of this process will depend on the candidates' responses," said the statement.
"However, by way of indication only, the FIA anticipates that full applications will need to be submitted by the end of June, followed by due diligence leading to a decision in July 2010."