[CruzIzabella]

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/82765

Durango announces 2011 F1 bid

By Matt Beer
Wednesday, April 7th 2010, 18:59 GMT

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.

[Zarekylin75]

But they couldn't even survive in GP2!

[Aswdwdfg]

But they couldn't even survive in GP2!

Quite. Sounds like another Campos! Hopefully the FIA will be wiser second time around.

[cristmiff]

i really doubt durango could be a serious F1 team effort.

since the GP2 series began in 2005, Durango have competed in all seasons (wont be 2010 though obviously).

only once have they finished above 10th place (8th in 2007) the rest of the time has seen them be at or around the back.

that sort of form in a one make series doesnt bode well for an F1 effort IMO, even if they didnt have the greatest drivers, it shows that they may be not the best at team managment and the like (hence the funds running out for GP2)

[accelieda]

Quite. Sounds like another Campos! Hopefully the FIA will be wiser second time around.

They claim to have a group of investors only willing to help fund an F1 effort, didnt Campos originally claim that too?

Anyway, who then does that mean we've got lined up to compete for the 13th slot so far?

[soonahonsefalh]

Still don't see how the FIA can expect potential teams to design and build a car and invest millions of pounds just to be a reserve.
Who would do all of that and still not be let into F1.

As for Durango, it sounds as though they will struggle to be a serious bidder.

[Soadiassy]

Still don't see how the FIA can expect potential teams to design and build a car and invest millions of pounds just to be a reserve.
Who would do all of that and still not be let into F1.

Indeed - at the very least they should allow 14 teams in, then if one of them USF1s it we still have a full grid, if both make it then have proper qualifying with two cars DNQing.

And of course the simplest solution would be to grant an entry to anyone who proves they have the will and means to enter, with only 26 cars allowed to start a race, I think you'd find things would naturally level off at around 13 teams that way anyway, since serial DNQers would probably struggle to justify their existence leaving the most competent of the newcomers as the 13th team. There's your "selection process" right there.

But yes on topic I don't see Durango making it unless they have SERIOUS financial muscle behind them. Campos were a top team in GP2 and look how much THEY struggled (and eventually failed if you class their sale to another party as failure on their behalf)

[Avaindimik]

And of course the simplest solution would be to grant an entry to anyone who proves they have the will and means to enter, with only 26 cars allowed to start a race

Exactly, that would then be a case of survival of the fittest. At the moment the system in place simply ensures that the teams favoured by the FIA race. If all allowed, perhaps better teams would join the grid.

http://www.madeinmotorsport.com/en/

[Goksiodiffeli]

Oh great, another winner joining F1

Lets hope the Enron boys will be the next ones to make a team.

[DoctorGordanBens]

That's slightly amusing indeed that a team, which wasn't good enough for GP2, is aiming for F1. Regardless of sponsors Durango claims to have, which is the same rhetoric USF1 was using. If there are other candidates for the vacant slot, Durango will likely get rejected.