Stefan GP not granted 2010 F1 entry
USF1 will attempt to get their cars ready for the start of the 2011 season
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By Darren Estwick. |  |
Thursday, 04, Mar 2010 11:14
By Adam Leveridge
The FIA released the full 2010 formula one entry list on Wednesday, confirming that the Serbian-based outfit Stefan GP will not be on the grid in Bahrain in place of the beleaguered USF1 team.
On Tuesday it was widely reported that USF1 had closed down its operation in Charlotte, North Carolina, following weeks of uncertainty over the team's future and its ability to get a car ready for the start of the 2010 season.
Stefan GP, which is led by Serbian Zoran Stefanovic, has been chasing an F1 entry since the end of last year, in the hope that one of the four new teams - Virgin Racing, Lotus Racing, Campos Meta or USF1 - would be unable to make it onto the grid.
With USF1 in turmoil, Stefan GP looked set to make it onto the F1 grid. However in a statement published by the FIA on Wednesday, it was confirmed that the Serbian team had not been granted the 14th and final slot on the F1 grid.
"The USF1 Team have indicated that they will not be in a position to participate in the 2010 FIA F1 world championship," the FIA said.
"Having considered the various options, the FIA confirms that it is not possible for a replacement team to be entered for the championship at this late stage.
"In the coming days the FIA will announce details of a new selection process to identify candidates to fill any vacancies existing at the start of the 2011 season."
The publication of the official 2010 entry list confirms Campos' name change to HRT and only names Bruno Senna in the Spanish outfit's driver line-up.
It also confirms that that Peter Sauber's squad will retain the 'BMW' name for the rest of the year, despite the German manufacturer's withdrawal from the world championship in 2009.
USF1, run by Ken Anderson and Peter Windsor, previously announced that despite the setback this year it will continue towards entering the 2011 season.