F1 season to go ahead with 12 teams 04/03/2010 |
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Motorsport’s governing body the FIA has announced that this year’s Formula 1 world championship will only feature 12 teams after US F1 revealed it would not be ready in time for the new season.
The troubled American team – one of four newcomers to be granted a place on the 2010 grid – had asked to defer its entry for 12 months, but the FIA has said it will have to submit a new application for the 2011 championship.
The decision means there will be 12 teams, rather than the planned 13, on the grid for the new season, which starts in Bahrain later this month.
Serbian team Stefan Grand Prix had hoped to be granted an 11th-hour slot but the FIA ruled against such a late entry despite US F1’s problems.
"The US F1 team have indicated they will not be in a position to participate in the 2010 Formula 1 world championship,” the FIA said in a statement.
"Having considered the various options, the FIA confirms 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."
It remains to be seen whether US F1, which this week told staff to stop work on its car, will try again next year.
The team has been crippled by financial problems – largely because it failed to raise enough funds through sponsorship.
Speaking before the FIA’s ruling, team principal Ken Anderson told BBC Sport: "If the FIA say no [to the deferral], we are done. If they say yes, we can put it back in gear and go.
"There were issues sponsor-wise in January that knocked us back a few weeks, and those meant we couldn't make it in 2010.”
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