• Bahrain Grand Prix 2010

Confusion remains over 2010 entry list

Stefan GP is waiting to hear if it will be granted an entry © Stefan GP

Enlarge

Related Links

• News:
• Stefan GP denied entry
  
• News:
• FIA: The entry list will be published soon
  

• Teams:
• HRT
• |
• US F1

There remains confusion over how many teams will be on the grid in the season-opener in Bahrain next week, and while US F1's almost farcical attempts to enter a team are now over - at least, for 2010 - the uncertainty continues.

The exact situation at US F1 is unclear, although team principal Ken Anderson has asked the FIA for the entry to be frozen until 2011. However, with wages unpaid and all work at the Charlotte headquarters now ceased, it is increasingly likely the whole venture could soon be dead and buried.

The vacancy created is being sought by Serbian outfit Stefan GP, but even were the FIA to agree to allow them to parachute in, it would need the consent of the other 11 teams, and that is unlikely. Ferrari, for one, has already made its views on Stefan GP very clear. The FIA is more likely to simply re-open the team selection process for next season's championship.

Whatever the outcome, the new Campos/Hispania team looks set to make its track debut in Bahrain next week despite its car not having had an outing. "One or two teams will debut in a week without ever turning a steering wheel beforehand. I don't know how that is going to go," Red Bull team boss Christian Horner said.

Mark Webber went a step further, telling Australian agency AAP: "It's embarrassing … and it's incredible that people who haven't yet turned a wheel take part in grand prix. It's the sort of stuff from Mickey Mouse or Tom and Jerry."

A Swiss newspaper quoted former world champion Niki Lauda as describing the pre-season situation as "chaos".

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.