Stefan GP, to take part in the 2010 ?

One Chance less for Stefan, Campos Finally Sold hes team to VW acording to spanish press
http://www.as.com/motor/articulo/for...asdaimot_1/Tes
http://www.as.com/opinion/articulo/e...asdaiopi_8/Tes

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Originally Posted by truefan72

probably has the roman Abrahmovich Oligarchs type of connections.

I know that I should be more wary of the sources of some of these guys, but I suppose if they go clean with the money then fine. Rather he invest in F1 than invest in some unseemly businesses. I do think that he has the funds to do what he needs to do. Securing funds for a national series that nobody watches or cares is a much tougher sell than securing funds to be in F1. With the right negotiating skills and a decent business plan along with the opportunity to pick a ready made team, it would seem more than attractive to many investors, national or international. I think they are for real. Or at least more prepared than Campos or USF1.

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Exactly that is reason why we in Serbia don`t believe in this Stefan GP thing. People who are much familiar with Mr. Zoran Stefanovic are saying that he is not such big player so he can get good conections and sponsorships. Some people talked that he has some connection is Russia, but i think that is impossible knowing Mr. Stefanovic, becouse why would some Russian businessman invest in some Serbian F1 Team and race under Serbian flag. They can do it under Russian flag.

But everything is possible, we will wait and see in future. My personal opinion is that is not going to be anything from this Stefan GP.

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Originally Posted by Sarac330d

Exactly that is reason why we in Serbia don`t believe in this Stefan GP thing. People who are much familiar with Mr. Zoran Stefanovic are saying that he is not such big player so he can get good conections and sponsorships. Some people talked that he has some connection is Russia, but i think that is impossible knowing Mr. Stefanovic, becouse why would some Russian businessman invest in some Serbian F1 Team and race under Serbian flag. They can do it under Russian flag.

But everything is possible, we will wait and see in future. My personal opinion is that is not going to be anything from this Stefan GP.

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1. Try not to look at this as a serbian thing with Serbian implications
2. F1 is a global sport and money knows no boundaries. If his russian connections are true, then they would have no qualms investing in the team, no matter where they are from. its 2010 and rich businessmen, of dubious backgrounds or clean, are not really interested in nationalistic pride as they are at placing their money in quality spots. (BTW I hear that even the Serbian govt. is subsidizing part of this team.)
3. I think Stefen GP is way further advanced than 3 of the 4 new entrants. While you have your personal opinion, the facts and news about them contradict that. They bought the Toyota F1 team, they have hired Collin Koles, they have already shipped parts to Bahrain, they are ready to do testing any day now, etc, etc, etc.

Sounds to me like you have some issue with the man and would rather believe the worst and see them fail rather than just being happy that there might be another f1 team on the grid.

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Originally Posted by Robinho

thats very interesting, and kind of fortifies my doubts about him and his team - i have a nagging doubt that he has a shady history to rival Flav, if not to exceed. interesting to hear fears from a Serb national, you'd expect that there would be some hype back home for the project.

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And when did sainthood become a requirement to be an F1 boss? Smearing people is something of an internet specialty.

Can't stand this kind of message - it always smacks of resentment that so many in this modern day and age have for highly successful people.

Flavio was highly succesful in F1. He was responsible for leading a team that gave the two top drivers on the grid today, Alonso and Schumacher, consecutive world titles.

Instead that is all forgotten.

Sarac330d, I am also a bit skeptical about Stefan GP. What worries me is that the so called AMCO corporation positions itself as a big industrial firm, but if one takes a good look at their website (http://www.amco.st), it's really amateurish. There is very little information about them on the internet too. At best, AMCO seems to be a reseller of industrial IT solutions. What is really what this obscure company does? Who is Zoran Stefanovic - apart from being an apparent F1 enthusiast?

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Originally Posted by Saint Devote

And when did sainthood become a requirement to be an F1 boss? Smearing people is something of an internet specialty.

Can't stand this kind of message - it always smacks of resentment that so many in this modern day and age have for highly successful people.

Flavio was highly succesful in F1. He was responsible for leading a team that gave the two top drivers on the grid today, Alonso and Schumacher, consecutive world titles.

Instead that is all forgotten.

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Rubbish - i have great respect for what Flav acheived in F1, even more so given that he had no prior interest in the sport, but dig deeper and the guy was a crook, and his connections with former bosses and colleagues who were blown up and the unsolved bomb plots on his properties in more recent times tell me more about the mans character than you ever will.

he didn't give us Schumacher, he poached him (very cleverly) at the right time, and i don't think Alonso would have failed to get where he did without Flavs management, he had too much talent to have been ignored.

he's a highly successful and driven man, but i fail to see why i should bow down and ignore the sadier elements to his life just because you choose to deify him

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Originally Posted by Robinho

Rubbish - i have great respect for what Flav acheived in F1, even more so given that he had no prior interest in the sport, but dig deeper and the guy was a crook, and his connections with former bosses and colleagues who were blown up and the unsolved bomb plots on his properties in more recent times tell me more about the mans character than you ever will.

he didn't give us Schumacher, he poached him (very cleverly) at the right time, and i don't think Alonso would have failed to get where he did without Flavs management, he had too much talent to have been ignored.

he's a highly successful and driven man, but i fail to see why i should bow down and ignore the sadier elements to his life just because you choose to deify him

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Well put :up:

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Originally Posted by Robinho

Rubbish - i have great respect for what Flav acheived in F1, even more so given that he had no prior interest in the sport, but dig deeper and the guy was a crook, and his connections with former bosses and colleagues who were blown up and the unsolved bomb plots on his properties in more recent times tell me more about the mans character than you ever will.

he didn't give us Schumacher, he poached him (very cleverly) at the right time, and i don't think Alonso would have failed to get where he did without Flavs management, he had too much talent to have been ignored.

he's a highly successful and driven man, but i fail to see why i should bow down and ignore the sadier elements to his life just because you choose to deify him

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I have no idea what you are talking about - but my answer to you, is, that my interest in Flavio is formula one. Outside of that is irrelevant and is NONE OF YOUR OR MY BUSINESS.

You may seek also to minimize Flavio's F1 achievements but it remains that he was the one with whom Alonso and Schumacher each won consecutive WDC's with a team he turned around.

Thats leadership and ability to recognize drivers BEFORE they have become champions and provide the opportunity for them and take on that risk.

Alonso was the only individual in F1 NOT to turn his back on Flavio and he showed that moral courage publicly. What a difference between him and Hamilton who participated in the scapegoating of Davey Ryan.

Its rough out there and if you want lilly-white souls I am afraid you will be left with the silence of the wind blowing.

I would love to see Flavio return to Renault. With Kubica he would mould another champion. Unfortunately the politics of F1 would prevent that.

Deify Flavio? I would not lower myself to make him into a god. I prefer those who are superior to gods, human beings.

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Originally Posted by Saint Devote

I have no idea what you are talking about - but my answer to you, is, that my interest in Flavio is formula one. Outside of that is irrelevant and is NONE OF YOUR OR MY BUSINESS.

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I'm not trying to butt in here but it might be worth me saying: some people view situations in a broader context. You solely judge Flavio on his F1 success and greatness but don't take into account his external flaws at least. Others do. Neither is wrong in my opinion, but this makes an argument difficult to go anywhere at all.

I'll be quiet for now. :)

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Originally Posted by 52Paddy

I'm not trying to butt in here but it might be worth me saying: some people view situations in a broader context. You solely judge Flavio on his F1 success and greatness but don't take into account his external flaws at least. Others do. Neither is wrong in my opinion, but this makes an argument difficult to go anywhere at all.

I'll be quiet for now. :)

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Get out of here you drunk Mick! Stop making all that sense. :D

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Originally Posted by Saint Devote

I have no idea what you are talking about - but my answer to you, is, that my interest in Flavio is formula one. Outside of that is irrelevant and is NONE OF YOUR OR MY BUSINESS.

You may seek also to minimize Flavio's F1 achievements but it remains that he was the one with whom Alonso and Schumacher each won consecutive WDC's with a team he turned around.

Thats leadership and ability to recognize drivers BEFORE they have become champions and provide the opportunity for them and take on that risk.

Alonso was the only individual in F1 NOT to turn his back on Flavio and he showed that moral courage publicly. What a difference between him and Hamilton who participated in the scapegoating of Davey Ryan.

Its rough out there and if you want lilly-white souls I am afraid you will be left with the silence of the wind blowing.

I would love to see Flavio return to Renault. With Kubica he would mould another champion. Unfortunately the politics of F1 would prevent that.

Deify Flavio? I would not lower myself to make him into a god. I prefer those who are superior to gods, human beings.

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oh come on, really? anything outside F1 is no-ones business? just because you choose to ignore everything else does not give you grounds to tell me what is my business - this is a man who has lived a huge proportion of his working life in the public spotlight and the information is in the public domain.

i don't seek to minimise his acheivements, as i said, although you cleary couldn't be bothered to read it, just dismissed with "i have no idea what your talking about" i have great respect for what he acheieved - even more so as he did not have a background in the sport. he managed a team into one of the main players and won championships with different drivers in very different periods of the sport. i was a huge fan of the early Bennetton days when the likes of Berger drove the great looking cars, but i choose not to gloss over the other elements of his character. i don't expect whiter than white, but i do reserve the right to form my opinion based on all the information i can get my hands on, not just because you disagree with me.

i don't miss Flav, you do. i appreciate why you do, but i don't share your sentiments. it doesn't make what he did in his time any less impressive, but it does mean that whilst i respect those acheivements i do not respect the man.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/moto...ne/8518652.stm

Stefan GP seem to be getting closer to actually making it, right now i'd rate their chances ahead of Campos and USF1, which is laughable considering the process the FIA supposedly went through to get the new entrants in

14 teams - :D

Though it does make the FIA's vetting procedure a load of Balls if Stefan succeed. :rolleyes:

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Originally Posted by 52Paddy

14 teams - :D

Though it does make the FIA's vetting procedure a load of Balls if Stefan succeed. :rolleyes:

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We all knew the vetting procedure was a crock. Just Max playing favorites and keeping people out, which whom he had a vendetta against. Ridiculous! Now we're seeing the consequences of admitting teams without a chance of making the grid.

If Stefan can race, then let's rock n' roll.

I support 13 teams, but Stefan should come instead of WTF1.

At least they (Stefan) probably have a car pretty much ready to go. If not they have the good facilities to do it quickly.

They might as well get Heidfeld and Nakajima or Klien in there so they have a solid driver pairing.

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Originally Posted by woody2goody

At least they (Stefan) probably have a car pretty much ready to go. If not they have the good facilities to do it quickly.

They might as well get Heidfeld and Nakajima or Klien in there so they have a solid driver pairing.

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Would'nt Dallara be in that position too (if they sell on what would have been Campos's car to whoever wants to take it on, StefanGP perhaps?)

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Originally Posted by 52Paddy

I'm not trying to butt in here but it might be worth me saying: some people view situations in a broader context. You solely judge Flavio on his F1 success and greatness but don't take into account his external flaws at least. Others do. Neither is wrong in my opinion, but this makes an argument difficult to go anywhere at all.

I'll be quiet for now. :)

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His activities outside of F1 are not relevant - as a fan I view him as a team manager and one of the best ever because it was under his guidance that Benetton and Renault had the two top drivers in F1 today, that twice won them double world titles.

My question is why the people on this forum, so very pure and holy, choose to judge the people of F1 on apparent negatives? Its like looking at Man as if he has a bad nature and I disagree with that, to say the least.

There are two ways of looking at people and I choose the positive, the one in Flavio's case that actually is relevant to F1 and the one that gave me as a fan a great deal of pleasure.

I don't see why it is such a big deal to allow a 14th team - if Max was still FIA chief, together with Bernie, it would have been decided already, AFFIRMATVELY! Max always had the wherewithal to change courses.

Now we have a little Todt, who vaccilates and "thinks" and has to move "logically" and a decision that should and can be made quickly, look like something being deliberated by a government.

This is F1 and there is a team with money, with cars and the ambition to be in F1 - LET THEM JOIN!!!

That sounds more like motorsport enthusiast in the more basic form of motorsport.

Let Them In. Now.

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Originally Posted by speeddurango

That sounds more like motorsport enthusiast in the more basic form of motorsport.

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What do you think motivates people like Bernie, or Dennis or Williams or Mateschitz or Mallyah or Jordan or Stefanovich?

They ARE motor racing enthusiasts and that IS required from karts to f1 :D

Bernie is motivated by money IMO.

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Originally Posted by Saint Devote

What do you think motivates people like Bernie, or Dennis or Williams or Mateschitz or Mallyah or Jordan or Stefanovich?

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Money, mostly.
Not all of them, but most of them.

And where is Stefan getting his money from exactly? And how much does he have to run a GP team?

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Originally Posted by I am evil Homer

And where is Stefan getting his money from exactly? And how much does he have to run a GP team?

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Stefanovich is getting money from the serbian government, or at least backing, it would seem (this is according to the BBC)

and, Bernie has spoken with the prime minister of serbia.

hmm, I think its likely Stefan GP will be at Bahrain (more likely than USF1 being there)

I bet the people of Serbia lvoe their govt spending money on F1! Still seems fishy to me...

Karun Chandhok and Kazuki Nakajima surely are one of the most competitive driver lineups I've seen in my entire life!
There's Senna-Prost, and then there is Chandhok-Nakajima.... :D
I would even prefer Ralf to come back instead of this....

I would like to see StefanGP at Bahrain (the more the merrier!) but this sounds like a bad joke. :down:

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Originally Posted by Pulidor

Karun Chandhok and Kazuki Nakajima surely are one of the most competitive driver lineups I've seen in my entire life!
There's Senna-Prost, and then there is Chandhok-Nakajima.... :D
I would even prefer Ralf to come back instead of this....

I would like to see StefanGP at Bahrain (the more the merrier!) but this sounds like a bad joke. :down:

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Nakajima is not exactly the worst - he has good experience from being at Williams and went quite well at certain tracks.

Chandok is no shining light but he is a mid-grid experienced GP2 driver. Also there is probably a strategic reason - Bernie wants Chandhok in F1 because of an Indian Grand Prix.

BCE wanted Chandhok to be signed by Force India.

Honestly, I do not see the selection to be the worst albeit it is not the greatest either.

I still say give Stefan GP a chance at Sakhir.

Yeah, Chandhok isn't exactly enchanting, but at least it's not a totally a name drawn out of the hat - he's had his nose in F1 opportunities a couple times. Nakajima/Chandhok sounds better to me than Lopez/Valles. I also agree, Bernie may have a large hand in this to push the somewhat stalled Indian GP project ahead.

Well,on paper,Stefan GP team sounds more solid then those two,Campos and USF1.They definaly have better car and more importantly ready one.

And I personaly would like to see more cars on the grid.And choseing drivers for starting team is more strategic decision then simple desire to have some particular person.Bouth those drivers bring something to the team.So it seams that Stefanovic have clear minde and sence what he is doing trying to establish solid ground for his team.

Here is some pictures you guys can finde interesting.

This is looking as 2010 car still in toyota's colors.

And this is looking as Nakajima in car with red color (as Stefan GP said car would be painted) .

One more interesting thing about the picture is Nakajimas three fingers.That is one of serbian "thing" if you notice moust of serbian sports man would do that.

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Originally Posted by Pulidor

Karun Chandhok and Kazuki Nakajima surely are one of the most competitive driver lineups I've seen in my entire life!
There's Senna-Prost, and then there is Chandhok-Nakajima.... :D
I would even prefer Ralf to come back instead of this....

I would like to see StefanGP at Bahrain (the more the merrier!) but this sounds like a bad joke. :down:

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It will be cool if Ralf returns.

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Originally Posted by F1boat

It will be cool if Ralf returns.

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I guess Chandhok is as much a rumor at this time as Ralf is... maybe one of those 3 candidates will be the "test" driver. Or maybe they'll think out of the box again and run different drivers throughout different races. Well, IF they get to run any races at all! :p :

Right about now would be a really good time for StefanGP to release some images of their car. I am not sure why they haven't done that, since allegedly they HAVE the car. It wouldn't hurt their case to have these pictures pop up all over the place, while Campos and WTF1 are nowhere to be seen. Kinda makes me worry about maybe they aren't as far along as we would like them to be.

If they get the nod, the shouldn't hesitate signing López and snatching his sponsors. Nice to see new members from Serbia popping up. This could be a huge thing for motor sports in Central Europe, although I still have my doubts about the background of Mr. Stefanovic.

Maximilian, Ralf stated that he is impressed by Stefan GP so he is more than a rumor IMO.

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Originally Posted by maximilian

Yeah, Chandhok isn't exactly enchanting, but at least it's not a totally a name drawn out of the hat - he's had his nose in F1 opportunities a couple times. Nakajima/Chandhok sounds better to me than Lopez/Valles. I also agree, Bernie may have a large hand in this to push the somewhat stalled Indian GP project ahead.

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if they do make it to the gird it will probably be Nakajima and Ralf, or Nakajima and Klien with Chandhock as 3rd driver IMO

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Originally Posted by maximilian

I guess Chandhok is as much a rumor at this time as Ralf is... maybe one of those 3 candidates will be the "test" driver. Or maybe they'll think out of the box again and run different drivers throughout different races. Well, IF they get to run any races at all! :p :

Right about now would be a really good time for StefanGP to release some images of their car. I am not sure why they haven't done that, since allegedly they HAVE the car. It wouldn't hurt their case to have these pictures pop up all over the place, while Campos and WTF1 are nowhere to be seen. Kinda makes me worry about maybe they aren't as far along as we would like them to be.

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excellent point. It would really put the pressure on the FIa if pictures of the car pop up. But if they bough the toyota cars then they are good to go since Toyota effectively built the 2010 car already by fall of last year

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Originally Posted by truefan72

excellent point. It would really put the pressure on the FIa if pictures of the car pop up. But if they bough the toyota cars then they are good to go since Toyota effectively built the 2010 car already by fall of last year

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That's why I am a slight bit worried, because if they really DO have these cars all put together, it would seem natural to slap ANY kind of paint on it and leak a couple pictures to the press, just to pour fuel on the fire. I just hope the fact that they haven't done that yet isn't an indication that things are not as solid as we'd like them to be.

I would rather see Ralf in the race seat than Chandhok, but seeing that Nakajima is apparently a shoe-in, this may not happen. I can't imagine Karun would bring $6 million, and then be a mere test driver - surely no sponsor would go for that?

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Originally Posted by maximilian

That's why I am a slight bit worried, because if they really DO have these cars all put together, it would seem natural to slap ANY kind of paint on it and leak a couple pictures to the press, just to pour fuel on the fire. I just hope the fact that they haven't done that yet isn't an indication that things are not as solid as we'd like them to be.

I would rather see Ralf in the race seat than Chandhok, but seeing that Nakajima is apparently a shoe-in, this may not happen. I can't imagine Karun would bring $6 million, and then be a mere test driver - surely no sponsor would go for that?

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yep you are probably right on the chandhock thing.

Also in terms of the pictures, perhaps they do have sponsors but for some legal reasons, can't display the car unless they have a grid spot. No big business would like to see their name in the headlines only to be embarrassed by a non entry.