[Team] Thirteenth slot up for grabs for 2011

[jab]

Epsilon Euskadi to apply again

Very good news, they have one of the best facilities outside F1 and a couple of very experienced ex-F1 hands running the show

[Sodemo]

I doubt that Prodrive and NTech will re-apply after last year's debacle.

I wonder what the "criteria" will be this time for entry, "Cosworth-only" again?

[ECW Dan Selby]

Well we've already got a fair few Cosworths. It'd be nice to see a new engine.

Selby

[Yannick]

So who is willing to try entering again?

ProDrive ... possible
USF1 ... yes, but still not likely to make it at this point
Stefan GP ... yes, but from where do they get their cars? Dallara? Toyota?
Epsilon Euskadi ... confirmed
Lola ... possible
N Technology ... maybe but what cars would they run?

Weren't there some rumours that indicated a while ago that Dallara were going to supply another team than HRT for next year?

[duke_toaster]

I don't think that would be allowed under the new rules/Concorde Agreement. - exactly the same business about why STR had to upgrade Faenza in order to be able to build a car there rather than getting RBT to do them.

They didn't apply last time as far as we know, but I reckon Dome could do a very good job of an F1 project. They've done prototypes and all sorts of single seaters, have great composite facilities and have built an F1 car before (OK, it didn't race, but that was due to engine supplier issues and lack of sponsorship, but now they would be the only F1 team with a significant Japanese flavour).

[MrTTraces]

Originally Posted by Alfa Fan

With a fee of only $1000 I think Ten Tenths should put together an entry! We'll achieve as much as USF1 at least

I have a go kart with pram wheels and a 'cockpit' made from an old bathtub somewhere that could start us off.

I'd also be happy to change my surname to help get a sponsor on board to provide funds ... Although I draw the line at changing my name to the name of a tampon type product!

[csirl]

Originally Posted by MrTTraces

I have a go kart with pram wheels and a 'cockpit' made from an old bathtub somewhere that could start us off.

I'd also be happy to change my surname to help get a sponsor on board to provide funds ... Although I draw the line at changing my name to the name of a tampon type product!

Would you change your name to a brand of HRT patch?

[tblincoe]

N. Tech would run their own chassis with Ferrari lumps... no?

[duke_toaster]

They could, although unless Ferrari were to drop one of their current teams they would need the FIA's permission to supply four. IIRC Mercedes needed to do the same to supply Brawn on top of McLaren and Force India, and it wasn't that hard to get.

[fourWheelDrift]

Originally Posted by duke_toaster

They could, although unless Ferrari were to drop one of their current teams they would need the FIA's permission to supply four. IIRC Mercedes needed to do the same to supply Brawn on top of McLaren and Force India, and it wasn't that hard to get.

I'm not sure it is as simple as that didn't they have to get agreement from all the teams as well as the FIA?

[duke_toaster]

The sporting regulations say just the FIA, but it might be in the Concorde Agreement that the other teams have to agree too.

[duke_toaster]

Durango, who withdrew from GP2 following financial difficulties, want to get in - I hope they're joking.

[kipper]

Originally Posted by duke_toaster

Durango, who withdrew from GP2 following financial difficulties, want to get in - I hope they're joking.

Their previous attempt to enter F1 in '97 didn't work out, so I guess question marks could be placed against their track record. I can't say I have any strong opinions either way on them being given an entry - their record in F3000/GP2 is reasonable, but not exceptional. However, I'm sceptical that given the financial problems recently experienced by the team, that this will get off the ground.

[Alfa Fan]

Originally Posted by duke_toaster

Durango, who withdrew from GP2 following financial difficulties, want to get in - I hope they're joking.

Why do you hope they are joking? This year has shown the sort of support needed to move into F1 so you would have to imagine they have a partner lined up to help them should they get a place, (like Proton or Virgin)

[bella]

durango are in big bother in italy for tax evasion - they were busted by the tax police last year and allegedly owe many millions of euros.

mind you, that sort of shenanigans is probably perfect for f1...

[chunterer]

Originally Posted by bella

mind you, that sort of shenanigans is probably perfect for f1...

indeed, F1 needs a staple diet of slightly unorthodox applicants otherwise the the sound ones like USF1 don't look good.....

Shame for Pinton's lot they managed 2 3000/GP2 cars for years quite respectably, perhaps not as cleverly as I always thought.

[duke_toaster]

Prodrive say no, to concentrate in WRC (Mini?) programme. I guess this means that EE are the most serious applicant that we know about, bearing in mind today is deadline day for submissions of interest. Then again, if Lola have applied ...

EDIT : Yes, you're right Jab.

[jab]

I don't think Lola have applied. Only EE and Durango have said they've applied

[duke_toaster]

Yes, you're right. As the deadline is today, I think we'll get knowledge of who will have applied soon.

[Rgms320]

Originally Posted by jab

I don't think Lola have applied. Only EE and Durango have said they've applied

Still pulling for EE. If they get the slot, they can offset the cost of their F1 car development by renting out their facility, occasionally, as the set for scifi movies.

Being serious, though, it looks like they have the infrastructure to build a respectable car, and might even be competitive in a couple of years, if they can find the financing to campaign a long-term effort. I think they'd do F1 proud.

[ECW Dan Selby]

I'd be surprised if Lola hadn't applied. I remember quite clearly they said they had no interest in stepping in to the 2010 season as they had already began work on their 2011 F1 car. To me that'd very much suggest they were looking for a 2011 entry

Selby

[duke_toaster]

If they're in, I would pick Lola as first choice and Epsilon Euskadi as the reserve, bearing in mind that some teams look a bit shaky (especially Hispania).

[Marbot]

Lola deferred their entry to 2011.

"We have deferred our F1 entry to 2011" explained Lola Group MD Robin Brundle. "We have not given up on our plan just deferred it by a year."

http://formula-one.speedtv.com/artic...ry-until-2011/

[Sodemo]

Not really surprised that Prodrive have turned their noses up after they had theirs knocked out of joint in the last selection process.

A shame though.

[chunterer]

Originally Posted by ECW Dan Selby

I'd be surprised if Lola hadn't applied. I remember quite clearly they said they had no interest in stepping in to the 2010 season as they had already began work on their 2011 F1 car. To me that'd very much suggest they were looking for a 2011 entry

Selby

Indeed, I understand it that Lola had got reasonably far down the road with the design of the car and had a chassis and tub in construction, so they're already in a good postion to continue from that point.