Stefan GP to fund 2010 testing with rookie pay drivers in search of superlicense mileage

[Giuseppe F1]

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/80693

Still cant understand why this team is effectively in F1 when teams such as Prodrive and Lola are still on the sidelines?????

[nigelred5]

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/80693

Still cant understand why this team is effectively in F1 when teams such as Prodrive and Lola are still on the sidelines?????

MONEY. Stefan has $$$ and are essentially now operating the proven former Toyota team as a buy a ride to get seat time while they test their potential entry. They apparently have the approval of the FIA, but are operating outside of F1 and hte concorde agreement even though Toyota did sign the agreement.

Lola and Prodrive apparently can't provide proof of finances to Bernie. I don't follow Richards, but I always get the impression he holds no favor with Bernie.

[VkmSpouge]

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/80693

Still cant understand why this team is effectively in F1 when teams such as Prodrive and Lola are still on the sidelines?????

Because they were smart in going for Toyota's remains. Good luck to Stefan, I hope they have a good time testing next season, just a shame they can only get into F1 by having another team drop out.

[maximilian]

I think it's a very clever business model to be running this sort of parallel F1 setup that's unbound by the agreement, it could be a very valuable tool to new drivers, make appearances in various sponsorship liveries at various events, and they may also be able to really test and develop their car for a possible 2011 entry. Although, seeing how they seem to have their stuff together, I would still hope for them to be on a 28-car 2010 grid! Let them in!!

[UltimateDanGTR]

i reckon Stefan GP will be in F1 in 2011-they are actually being quite clever.

probably replacing American Joke F1.

good for stefan i spose, they seem to have the cash....

[tinchote]

I think it's a very clever business model to be running this sort of parallel F1 setup that's unbound by the agreement, it could be a very valuable tool to new drivers, make appearances in various sponsorship liveries at various events, and they may also be able to really test and develop their car for a possible 2011 entry.

Funny thing is that Toyota also took a year of testing before entering the grid. They also expected to be winning races within two or three years

[52Paddy]

What's the reason for only allowing a maximum grid of 26 anyway?

[ioan]

What's the reason for only allowing a maximum grid of 26 anyway?

One reason might be that the pit lane isn't endless.
Another reason is that F1 needs quality over quantity and they can allow anyone with a few millions to burn to be on the grid as a moving chicane.

There are probably some more reasons worth considering.

[nigelred5]

In addition to limited garage space at some tracks, There's only so much room on a transport plane before it requires another plane making the trips for fly-aways.

[maximilian]

If they did it with 38-40 cars before, 2 decades ago, I don't see why they couldn't do it with 28-30 now.