.:: 2011 Team Selection Thread ::.

This thread will be updated with all the latest information concerning new team applications/news for the 2011 season. The FIA due diligence will take place in June and a result announced in July.

Current 2011 Team Applications

Durango (Joint venture with Jacques Villeneuve)
Stefan GP
Epsilon Euskadi

FIA re-opens 2011 selection process

Formula 1's ruling body will re-open the selection process for a potential 13th team to join the sport in 2011, the FIA said on Thursday.

The governing body has taken the decision after US F1, which had the 13th slot for the 2010 season, failed to be ready to compete in this year's championship.

The American team had requested that the FIA delayed its entry for next year.

However, the FIA has decided to re-open the selection process for the final slot, meaning there is likely to be a significant number of candidates hoping to race next season.

Lola, Epsilon Euskadi, Prodrive and N.Technology were among the teams to have applied for an entry for this year.

The governing body also said US F1 could face sanctions for its absence.

"With regard to the USF1 team's non-participation in the 2010 championship, the world council mandated the FIA president, in full compliance with the new code of practice for disciplinary matters, to take forward the most appropriate action," it said in a statement.

The FIA also confirmed that rookie Karun Chandhok had been granted his superlicence to competed with the HRT team at this weekend's Bahrain Grand Prix.

SOURCE: autosport.com

Rumor has it the FIA are going to come down hard on USF1 for not making the grid this year.

Rumor has it the FIA are going to come down hard on USF1 for not making the grid this year.mjk1

I can't wait :D

EPSILON AIMING TO BE IN F1 IN 2010

The Epsilon Euskadi team is aiming to be on the Formula 1 grid in 2011 after the FIA re-opened the selection process to fill the vacancies available next year.

Epsilon applied for an entry for the 2010 season, but the Spanish squad was not granted any of the slots available at the time.

Virgin, Lotus, Campos and US F1 were the teams chosen, the latter not managing to make it to the grid.

Epsilon, led by Joan Villadelprat as well as former F1 designer Sergio Rinland, has restarted work to check the viability of the F1 project now the FIA has invited new teams to apply for an entry.

The Vitoria-based outfit is now seeking to secure the backing to compete in 2011 before submitting its entry.

The FIA said all the candidates have until 15 April to register their expression of interest, and that a decision on the entrant would be announced by July.

AUTOSPORT 

hang on a minute, i'm pretty sure i was mentioned as one of the drivers when F1PUGP was first created, don't tell me Redders has gone all Frank Williams on me and started chopping and changing drivers without warning.

hang on a minute, i'm pretty sure i was mentioned as one of the drivers when F1PUGP was first created, don't tell me Redders has gone all Frank Williams on me and started chopping and changing drivers without warning.

Racky_rules

I'm looking through my options at the moment, and in due time will make an announcement of m drivers for 2011. Then, run out of money and try desperately for a multi-millionaire to buy out my team and scrape together a car which won't run until the first race of the season where one of you will crash out on the 2nd lap after only starting in qualifying and the other completing 19 laps before the engine blows and having to be pushed out of the garage on Friday morning.

All this, and we'd still be better than US F1.

I'd best get out my pencil then and design this car, anyone got experience in CFD?KimisApprentice

I have, havent designed any F1 cars, but it cant be that difficult...surely ?

We have to make our entry before April 15, and an non-refundale administartion fee of Euro 1000 need to be paid to the FIA. The team principle has got that covered right ? :roll: 

We have to make our entry before April 15, and an non-refundale administartion fee of Euro 1000 need to be paid to the FIA. The team principle has got that covered right ? :roll:

mjk1

You're a funny man.

If you must know, I'm in talks with Bill Gates anyway. Chad Hurley might be interested too.

SUPERFUND RULES OUT F1 APPLICATION

Austrian investment company Superfund will not apply for a Formula 1 grid slot for 2011.

The company, run by Austrian businessman and motorsport enthusiast Christian Baha, had sought an entry for 2010, but missed out on one of the new team slots that were awarded to Manor Grand Prix (now Virgin), Campos Meta 1 (now HRT) and Team US F1.

It also remained on the reserve list, but the extra grid slot opened was handed to Lotus in September.

Despite the FIA inviting "expressions of interest" from teams for any vacant grid slot for next season on March 13, Baha confirmed to AUTOSPORT that "Superfund will not apply for a 2011 licence."

Team Superfund was headed up by ex-Benetton, McLaren and Williams racer Alexander Wurz, who is no longer involved in the company. It would initially have been based in the factory of an existing team - believed to be Williams – before its own headquarters was established in Austria.

Formtech, which lodged an entry last year under the Brabham name, has also ruled out applying for a place in F1.

Ex-Super Aguri technical director Mark Preston, now managing director of Formtech Composites, which is based in the former Arrows/Super Aguri factory in Leafield, told AUTOSPORT that an F1 entry is "no longer in the plans".

AUTOSPORT

DURANGO ACCOUNCES 2011 BID

Former GP2 team Durango has announced that it is applying for the 13th slot in the Formula 1 field next season.

The FIA has invited applications to take the world championship entry left vacant by the collapse of US F1's F1 bid, and will also announce a reserve team. Applications must be received by 15 April, with the FIA promising an announcement by July.

Durango dropped out of GP2 at the end of 2009 due to financial issues, but team boss Ivone Pinton said new investors had been found who preferred to work on an F1 programme than to return to the feeder categories.

"After all the wrong things happened last season we tried our best to look for new partners in our racing activity," said Pinton.

"It did not take too long to understand that the interest could be aroused just about Formula 1 and nothing else. So we pushed towards this direction and I can say that, to enter F1, we can now enjoy the backing of two very big international groups.

"So even keeping the feet on the ground as we say in Italy, because up till now this is just a serious attempt, I like to consider that after so many years spent pushing young drivers to become future champions now the time has come to strongly push Durango as a team towards the motorsport pinnacle."

Prior to running in GP2, Durango was a regular in Formula 3000, and has also run arms in Formula 3 and sportscars among other series. It has entered the new Auto GP championship this season.

AUTOSPORT

Durango dropped out of GP2 at the end of 2009 due to financial issues, but team boss Ivone Pinton said new investors had been found who preferred to work on an F1 programme than to return to the feeder categories.mjk1

No thanks.

SUPERFUND RULES OUT F1 APPLICATION

Austrian investment company Superfund will not apply for a Formula 1 grid slot for 2011.

The company, run by Austrian businessman and motorsport enthusiast Christian Baha, had sought an entry for 2010, but missed out on one of the new team slots that were awarded to Manor Grand Prix (now Virgin), Campos Meta 1 (now HRT) and Team US F1.

AUTOSPORT

mjk1

Wait... none of the new teams actually made it to the grid. They either imploded or got bought by someone or something more worthy. What the deuce.

Prodrive rules out entering F1 in 2011

Prodrive has ruled out attempting to enter Formula 1 next season, as it has decided to focus on the World Rally Championship, the company announced on Thursday.

Prodrive was one of the teams that applied to enter the sport in 2010, but it didn't get one of the three new entries, which went to Manor, Campos and US F1.

The FIA has re-opened the selection process for the 2011 season, inviting teams to submit their applications to become the 13th entry.

Prodrive boss David Richards said on Thursday, however, that his company will not be looking for an entry for 2011.

He said the struggles of the new teams this year have proved how hard entering Formula 1 is, and that Prodrive would only be interested in joining F1 to be competitive.

"Our current focus is on Prodrive's return to the World Rally Championship in 2011 and that alone takes significant resource to design and develop a totally new car," said Richards.

"Taking on the challenge of starting a brand new Formula 1 team, finding the necessary funding and developing the car from scratch is a massive undertaking and not to be under estimated.

"As expected, we've witnessed the financial and technical challenges that the new teams have faced this year in just getting to the grid, let alone being competitive and whilst I have enormous admiration for their efforts I don't believe this is an appropriate strategy for Prodrive or Aston Martin to adopt."

He added: "We've enjoyed a successful involvement in F1 in the past and respect the value it can create; we will therefore keep a close eye on developments in the championship.

"However, I have always made it very clear that the timing for a Prodrive entry would be judged on two criteria: that we could be competitive and that the business case would make it a financially viable proposition. Today, if we were to adopt the strategy of starting a new team, I don't believe it is possible to meet these two conditions."

Prodrive is yet to announce its exact WRC plans, but has been strongly linked to a project to bring the Mini brand back to top level rallying.

SOURCE: Autosport.com

LOLA WILL NOT APPLY FOR 2011 ENTRY

Racing car manufacturer Lola has announced it will not try to enter Formula 1 in the 2011 season.

The company joins Prodrive in deciding not to apply for a slot for next year, feeling there is no sufficient time to be ready for the start of the season.

Lola applied for an entry for this year, but the Huntingdon-based squad wasn't granted one.

The deadline to submit a formal expression of interest expired today.

"A 2010 entry under the cost capped and performance balanced criteria was perfect for Lola," said Lola owner Martin Birrane.

"We already have F1 standard facilities at our headquarters in Huntingdon. Sadly our well-developed 2010 F1 project, which included a significant wind tunnel programme, had to be frozen in June 2009.

"The recently announced applications for 2011 has left us with insufficient time to prepare for what would be a quite different programme."

Lola's managing director added: Robin Brundle, added: "Lola looks forward to strengthening its working partnerships with existing F1 Teams and the rich variety of customers throughout the Lola portfolio."

AUTOSPORT

STEFAN ATTEMPTING 2011 ENTRY

Stefan GP has renewed its efforts to try and get a place in Formula 1, despite seeing its plans to get on the grid this season rejected by the FIA.

Team owner Zoran Stefanovic had worked hard to try and secure a place in F1 this season by using the 2010 Toyota cars, with Jacques Villeneuve and Kazuki Nakajima as drivers.

But despite Team US F1 having failed to get ready in time, the FIA ruled out letting Stefan GP in as replacement - and instead opened up the entry process for new teams.

Now Stefan GP has not only confirmed that it is eyeing one of the slots for next year, the team has also revealed plans to build a Serbian track that he hopes could host F1.

"Stefan GP would like to make a public announcement that the AMCO Corporation and its owner Zoran Stefanovic have today signed an agreement with the Mayor of Stara Pazova, located 25km from Belgrade, Serbia, to build the Stefan Technology Park," said a statement on Stefan GP's newly revamped website about the plans for the 3.5km circuit.

"This will include a racing circuit suitable for the competition of Formula 1, and a technical complex that will serve as Stefan Grand Prix's team headquarters upon completion in two years time."

The statement also said that Stefan GP would: "Like to officially announce our bid for the FIA 2011 Formula 1 world championship."

Team owner Stefanovic said: "I think this is an excellent development for our team, Stara Pazova city, region and country.

"This is proof that we want to put ourselves on the map as a serious high-tech company, and that we are serious about competing in Formula 1 for the long term."

"Bearing in mind that we will soon be on a par with top teams, in terms of facilities and organisation, as Stefan Technology Park looking to be compared with them, we expect many positive improvements in the future."

Stefan GP's website also revealed the drivers that the team held talks with for a potential seat for this year.

As well as confirming Villeneuve and Nakajima, the list included world rally champion Sebastien Loeb, and former F1 drivers Ralf Schumacher, Christian Klien and Takuma Sato.

AUTOSPORT

So no established companies are going to apply by the looks of it. The chosen team will the best worst of an awful crop? A hundred bucks, there will be only 11 teams on the grid next year.XSamFisherX

Last year Volkswagen said they'd consider entering F1, either as a constructor or an engine supplier, but only if costs are reduced. I wonder if they're considering 2011 or not. Apart from that I don't know of any major names trying to enter F1.

[QUOTE="XSamFisherX"]So no established companies are going to apply by the looks of it. The chosen team will the best worst of an awful crop? A hundred bucks, there will be only 11 teams on the grid next year.cjek

Last year Volkswagen said they'd consider entering F1, either as a constructor or an engine supplier, but only if costs are reduced. I wonder if they're considering 2011 or not. Apart from that I don't know of any major names trying to enter F1.

ART Grand Prix submits 2011 F1 application

With the United States' Cypher Group having confirmed its 2011 Formula 1 interests to GPUpdate.net on Wednesday, the French ART Grand Prix squad has now expressed its own intentions by submitting an official application to F1 governing body the FIA.

Currently racing in a selection of formulae including European Formula 3, GP2 and GP3, ART Grand Prix is a leading name in those championships below Formula 1 although the team admits that it now aims to fill the sole vacancy for the 2011 grid.

"Yes, we have submitted an application to the FIA to join the F1 World Championship in 2011," ART GP Team Principal Frédéric Vasseur explained to France's AutoHebdo.

"The application had to be made before 15 April and the FIA should get back to us by no later than 1 July; but before that, we will have to complete a technical and financial information file - that's why we hadn't communicated over the matter yet."

SOURCE: gp-update.net

ART AIMING FOR 2011 F1 ENTRY

ART Grand Prix co-owner Nicolas Todt has confirmed that the multiple GP2 and Formula 3 title-winning team has applied to enter Formula 1 next season, but admitted that being ready for 2011 would be a huge undertaking if its bid was accepted.

Todt told Italian magazine Autosprint that while suggestions ART was among the 2011 applicants were correct, the team had no expectation that it was likely to be selected.

"The news that we have proposed ART is real, but at the moment it's just a request, there is no certainty we'll take the start next season," he said.

"Realistically, I think it won't be easy to take part in the 2011 F1 championship, because it's not easy to set up a programme with very high costs.

"In light of this, I didn't want to make bold statements over something that still needs to be defined. If we don't make it, then it won't be a drama. We'll carry on working over this project, and if it doesn't happen next year, then we'll try again in the future."

He said ART had always eyed F1 as its long-term destination given its relentless success in the feeder categories, but he had preferred to keep its ambitions low-key and did not want to risk harming its other programmes.

"We are ambitious, and obviously after having won a lot in the various series we've taken part for years, you want to go on and do better," said Todt.

"After F3 and GP2, the logical step is F1. The big difference is that it's a gigantic step, and we are aware of the difficulty with this challenge. That's why I've never announced we'll be in F1, I don't like to get visibility when I'm not certain of the programmes, because I don't want to be regarded as a person who only talks.

"We are working with great care on a project, we don't want to damage what we've done to this day over the years. The plans include synergies, but we don't want to damage the team that works in GP2, GP3 and F3.

"We want to enter F1, but only if we manage to have a long-term programme, because even though F1 now costs 30-35 per cent less compared to a few years ago, it nevertheless remains a huge challenge for privateers."

Spanish squad Epsilon Euskadi, Serbia team Stefan GP and ex-GP2 outfit Durango are among the other teams vying for a possible 2011 F1 slot.

Todt has close links with with his father Jean's former team Ferrari, and his protege Jules Bianchi is part of the Italian squad's driver development scheme. But Todt played down the chances of an ART F1 project being a partnership with Ferrari.

"I have a great relationship with Ferrari, I highly esteem Stefano Domenicali," he said. "If we get chosen and we get a chance to work with Ferrari, then it will be great, but the truth is that there's nothing at the moment.

"We are also a Mercedes team in F3, so it's easy to also link us to Mercedes, and we have other links too. But the truth is that there's nothing yet."

He conceded that there was potential for a conflict of interest given that his father is now the president of the FIA.

"I know well that there are people who see this situation in a bad light," Todt admitted.

"First of all there is a commission evaluating the requests and making decisions, so it's not just my father's choice. I think we'll be under the eye of many people, so the truth is that, as ART, we'll have to present an even more solid programme than our competitors, because at our first faux pas we'll risk being criticised more than the norm.

"But this isn't a new situation for me. When [protege] Felipe [Massa] went to Ferrari, some people put it down to my father's presence there. There will always be people judging my work in relation to my father's presence, and I've accepted this.

"If I couldn't stand this I would have changed environment, but I don't want to leave something I'm passionate for because my father works in it and I've had a lot of success that will be difficult to repeat."

SOURCE: Autosport

EPSILON WORRIED ABOUT LATE DECISION

Epsilon Euskadi boss Joan Villadelprat is concerned that his team might not get enough time to prepare for a 2011 Formula 1 programme if it is chosen as a 13th entrant.

The FIA is currently considering applications from teams keen to join the world championship next year, with Spanish squad Epsilon among the leading contenders. But Villadelprat fears that a late announcement could leave any successful applicant short on time - or lead to unsuccessful projects wasting money as they feel compelled to get a headstart on 2011 designs in case they are chosen.

"I'm optimistic, but also a bit worried because the FIA announcement won't come before the end of August," said Villadelprat in an interview with Autosprint.

"That means that, for the teams who get the nod, the time to start proper construction of the F1 car will be tiny.

"On top of that, it's inevitable that we now find ourselves in the situation where we begin making investments without knowing whether we'll actually be in next year's championship."

Despite not yet knowing if Epsilon will be on the 2011 grid, Villadelprat says the project is making good progress and would be sustainable long term.

"We have long been in talks with big and important international companies who are interested in investing in us," he said. "Within two weeks we'll have a better understanding of what we can do.

"One thing is for sure: our programme isn't on a yearly basis. The budget I require must cover at least the first two seasons, 2011 and 2012. I repeat, that's a minimum. An F1 team can't be reasoning year by year."

He is also sceptical about Virgin Racing's ambition of keeping within the 40 million euro figure originally proposed under the now-abandoned budget cap.

"I feel that, in order to begin thinking of improving a team, you need no less than 100 million as a starting point," Villadelprat said.

"Of course, you can race with 40 million too, but without making any important development and at the risk of always being just an extra. And having to start over from zero every year."

SOURCE: Autosport

ART WITHDRAWS 2011 F1 ENTRY BID

ART Grand Prix has announced that it has called off its bid to enter Formula 1 in 2011.

The multiple GP2 and Formula 3 champion team had been tipped as one of the leading contenders for the '13th slot' in the field for next year's world championship, but has concluded that in the present economic circumstances it cannot go ahead with the project.

It emphasised that it still intended to reach F1 eventually, and that the team would continue in the junior categories. It currently races in GP2, GP3 and F3.

"ART Grand Prix has decided to withdraw their application to the International Federation of Automobiles (FIA) to take part in the 2011 Formula One World Championship," said a statement from ART.

"The team has been working for several months on this ambitious project that they had undertaken with determination and lucidity.

"ART Grand Prix had forged strong bonds with several technical and financial partners but with unfavourable economic conditions they could not gather the necessary guarantees to ensure the stability of the project in the long term.

"Therefore, the company will have to postpone its project until a later date, however it remains completely focused and dedicated to the other single-seater championships in which they are successfully involved in."

ART co-owner Nicolas Todt had previously said that while the team was working on an F1 bid, it would only commit to the top level if it was absolutely certain that the project was viable.

"Realistically, I think it won't be easy to take part in the 2011 F1 championship, because it's not easy to set up a programme with very high costs," Todt told Italian magazine Autosprint in May.

"In light of this, I didn't want to make bold statements over something that still needs to be defined. If we don't make it, then it won't be a drama.

"We'll carry on working over this project, and if it doesn't happen next year, then we'll try again in the future."

SOURCE: Autosport

AMERICAN CYPHER GROUP TARGETS F1 ENTRY

The American-based Cypher Group has submitted an official application to join the Formula 1 grid next year, after confirming a tie-up with driver Jonathan Summerton.

Cypher is believed to include former members of the failed Team US F1, who are adamant that the United States is able to produce a competitive grand prix outfit despite failing with the Charlotte-based operation.

In a statement issued overnight - and just hours after ART Grand Prix announced it was pulling out of its plans to move into F1 - Cypher said: "We have officially submitted our candidature and hope that we will shortly be selected by the FIA as the 13th entry in the 2011 FIA Formula One World Championship. We aspire to bring America's red, white, and blue back into Formula 1."

Summerton, who has raced successfully in F3 and A1GP, had been linked with US F1 and is pushing hard to make the move into grand prix racing.

The Cypher statement added: "Jonathan is capable of racing against the top Formula 1 drivers and we hope to be able to give him a competitive car. We look forward to the opportunity of being on the starting grid in 2011."

Cypher looks set to be going up against Epsilon Euskadi, Stefan GP and Durango for the 13th slot on the F1 grid. The effort is also totally separate from the push by former US F1 representative Parris Mullins to lead American efforts into a tie-up with a current team.

SOURCE: Autosport

I am interested to see how good a 2010 car will run next year if thats what Stefan GP are attempting. This sounds familar to BAR (I think, or one team ran the car design from a previous year, maybe it was Minardi even) and just bolted a bit of this and that and some masking tape. Jobs a good 'un.

However if any team can get Sato to sign with them I am all for their entry, even if they plan on using a steam roller and bolting some slick tyers and a spoiler to it for more speed.

Seriously though I want these new teams to do well, its very concerning that the new teams this year are still seconds off the pace and seem to lack the cash or resources to get themselves at the top.

JACQUES VILLENEUVE AIMING TO SET UP OWN F1 TEAM

Former world champion Jacques Villeneuve could return to Formula 1 as a team owner in 2011.

The 39-year-old has submitted an entry for Villeneuve Racing to become the 13th team next year and has cleared technical and financial checks.

Villeneuve told BBC Sport: "I've never made it a secret that I'm working hard on an F1 project.

"But I've not discussed the details or what my plans were and I won't be drawn on it now. I'm not commenting."

He would not reveal whether he planned to return as a driver, a team owner, or both.

A space for one more team is still up for grabs for 2011 and the FIA is expected to make a decision on the 13th team at the end of the month.

BBC Sport understands Villeneuve has cleared the FIA checks aimed at establishing whether his team are technically capable of building an F1 car and a scrutiny of their financial background.

Villeneuve's manager Rick Gorne told BBC Sport: "There is an element of truth in the rumours.

"F1 is a possibility - he does have the intention to get back. It's a project we're working on."

Gorne was one of the founding members of the BAR F1 team, which were set up around Villeneuve in 1999. BAR later became Honda, then Brawn and now Mercedes.

The news of Villeneuve's team entry was first broken by the German magazine  Auto Motor und Sport   on Thursday. It suggested that Villeneuve may join forces with disgraced former Renault team boss Flavio Briatore, who has been out of F1 since being found guilty last September of trying to fix the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix.

But it is thought unlikely that Villeneuve would work with the Italian, who has been vocal in his criticism of him in the past.

The magazine also reported that a team were being set up in England, which is also believed to be incorrect.

The FIA did not comment on whether Villeneuve Racing were one of the applicants seeking a place on the 2011 grid. 

BBC SPORT

Jacques, GIVE IT UP NOW. PLEASE.KimisApprentice

Nope.

VILLENEUVE CONFIRMS DURANGO TIE-UP

Jacques Villeneuve has confirmed that he has partnered with Italian outfit Durango in his bid to return to Formula 1 as a team owner.

Amid a string of rumours about Villeneuve's plans, potential backers and partners, he issued a statement acknowledging that reports in Italy of a Durango tie-up were true, but attempting to quash any further speculation about the project.

"There are a number of rumours circulating at the moment and I wanted to clarify a few things before this gets out of hand," said Villeneuve.

"The team will be a joint venture with Durango, and based out of Italy. To be clear, right now all the money comes from corporate sponsorship, and not from personal investors."

Durango announced its intention to apply for a 2011 F1 entry earlier this year. The team had withdrawn from GP2 due to funding issues and said it had attracted backers more interested in an F1 bid than the feeder series. It has spent this season racing in the new Auto GP category.

Villeneuve last raced in F1 in mid-2006 with BMW Sauber, but had been set for a return with Stefan GP this season had the Serbian squad received an entry. He has since returned to NASCAR and will attempt to qualify for this weekend's Sprint Cup race at Indianapolis.

AUTOSPORT

Ooh interesting. Maybe Stefan GP wont get the easy ride into 14th team I had expected (I assumed the FIA would choose them if they stayed interested as arent they basically the Toyota team now?).

I recon Villeneuve could be a good manager as he has the experience of both sides of the coin (being at the top and then with teams like BAR when it first started out and wasnt going anywhere).

CYPHER GROUP WITHDRAWS F1 APPLICATION

The American Cypher Group has officially withdrawn its candidature to become the 13th Formula 1 team in 2011.

The group, which was believed to include former members of the failed US F1 team, announced on Friday that it did not have sufficient budget to enter the sport next season.

It said, however, that it remained committed to reaching Formula 1 eventually.

"We remain completely committed to developing a credible and viable Formula 1 team and were able to raise a considerable amount of sponsorship and interest in recent months," said the group in a statement.

"However after much deliberation we have decided that the budget we have is not sufficient to allow us to pursue the project in a manner befitting the series.

"It was not an easy decision, but one made out of respect for the FIA Formula One World Championship and our loyal supporters."

The group had confirmed a tie-up with American driver Jonathan Summerton.

SOURCE: Autosport

Spanish team Epsilon Euskadi have started testing a scale model of their car in a wind tunnel with a view to entering the 2011 Championship.BBC Gossip Column

They tried to get a tie-in with HRT before the start of the season (so HRT would've used the 2010 Toyota chassis). I think it was a Durango block that made it fail.

As for now, I don't know. I'd be surprised if they tried again, but saying that, Durango aren't making the chassis for HRT anymore.

Former world champion Jacques Villeneuve has admitted his efforts to establish a new Formula One team in 2011 may be shot down by the FIA.BBC Gossip Column

VILLENEUVE WOULD ACCEPT TOUGH START

Jacques Villeneuve says he would accept racing at the back of the field in a possible return to Formula 1 as long as he can lay a solid foundation for the future of his own squad.

The 1997 world champion is still awaiting a decision from the FIA regarding his bid to return to the sport through a partnership with former GP2 squad Durango. Villeneuve is hoping to get back behind the wheel and at the same time help build a team that can be successful in the long term when he retires from driving.

The Villeneuve-Durango project formally presented its bid in Geneva on 13 August, and the Canadian remains positive about the outcome of the tender, which he expects to come in a few days.

"Everyone looked satisfied but, at the same time, we were in front of a panel which was not unlike being in front of a judge," said Villeneuve about his team's presentation in Switzerland earlier this month.

"We were not awaiting any reaction on their part. We do not know if anyone else made a presentation so until we get a formal reply, we will not know how it was received and perceived. I know that we made a good presentation.

"We are happy with what we have in place. We have no doubt on how things will move forward if the response is positive.

"This being said, we still need a positive response because it's an all or nothing situation. If it works, it's great. If not and we get a negative response, everything that we put in place will have been done for nothing. There is no middle ground."

The former Indianapolis 500 winner was part of the BAR team - now Mercedes GP - from its debut in F1 in 1999 to the end of 2003, with two podium finishes in 2001 his best results with the squad.

If his new bid to return to the sport is successful, Villeneuve anticipates a slow start in the team's first season and admits he would not mind being a backmarker as long as he can help lay strong foundations for the future of the team through his experience.

"It's okay to be a backmarker as long as you have a long-term plan, backing and financials that allow you to build a project," said Villeneuve.

"When we built BAR, if you just have something in place that's barely alive and that could only work for maybe a year, then no, because all you have is the stress and because you have a bad year, you cannot build on it.

"But if you have a long-term in place, that's fine because it's part of the building process."

While pursuing a future in F1, Villeneuve has not closed the door on NASCAR, where he is set to compete again next weekend in Montreal in the second-tier Nationwide Series, at the wheel of the #32 Braun Racing Toyota.

SOURCE: Autosport

EPSILON BEGINS WIND TUNNEL TESTING

Formula 1 hopeful Epsilon Euskadi has begun wind tunnel model testing of its new car, even though it is still waiting to see if it has been successful in securing the 13th grid slot.

The FIA is expected to announce in the next few weeks which team has been granted the final place on the grid as a replacement for the defunct US F1 Team, which dropped out of F1 before the start of this season.

While waiting on that decision, Epsilon is still chasing long-term funding but it felt it could not delay any longer in making the first work on its car - which has now resulted in the wind tunnel model being run for the first time.

Team owner Joan Villadelprat told his team's official website: "The model was designed, CFD tests were carried out and, finally, a few weeks ago the model was built.

"We have been conducting wind tunnel tests. The reason why we decided to do it is very simple. We believe in our F1 project but, if we were to be minimally prepared, we couldn't wait until the FIA's decision would be announced. It would have been too late to start.

"If we would be given the license now and have to have the car ready for next year, we would definitely struggle. But if we hadn't had even started with wind tunnel tests, it would be impossible. We made our bet and all the progress we make is and will be useful, at least, to keep building on experience and know how."

Villadelprat is refusing to take anything for granted about his outfit's chances of success - and admitted that he not yet secured the three-years of funding that he would ideally like in place before he moves into grand prix racing.

"The process in which we are currently immersed in is tricky and uncertain. Caution is always the best approach but especially in situations as delicate as the awarding of a Formula 1 licence. Given that I am a regular contributor to different media, the questions about Formula 1 are unavoidable and, sometimes, taken out of context. I understand that this matter arouses a lot of interest from the media and the fans alike and I hope for an early resolution. Until then, we will have to be patient."

He added: "The only thing that is missing at this stage is to count on the full financing. I always said that I wouldn't go into Formula 1 unless the budget for three years was guaranteed. Unfortunately, at this point, this is what we are missing, although we are still working on it and moving forward."

Villadelprat also dismissed recent speculation that he could merge with fellow Spanish team HRT.

"These rumours have no foundation whatsoever," he said. "Epsilon has its own Formula 1 project and so does Hispania. What I said was that Mr. Carabante and I were interested in having a conversation to see if there would be any possible of collaboration. Always keeping in mind the nature of our company and provided that there wouldn't be any conflict of interests."

SOURCE: Autosport

It would make sense to merge the teams or resource share. I mean if they even shared a wind tunnel and things like that it would be a huge cost saver.

What happened to the former Toyota team? I thought a Serbian billionaire had got them and was basically a shoe in for this coming season as they had the drivers on stand by etc?