[Precturge]

Nothing really stopped Prodrive from buying Toyota's assets and try to do the same thing. Stefan just beat them to that vision, and shelled out actual money to make it happen.

There do however seem to be some forces on the inside that apparently don't want Prodrive in F1, although there are also some on this forum who stated that when it comes to coughing up actual cash to strike a deal, Prodrive isn't as deep-pocketed as it may seem, and that's why they haven't been able to secure an entry so far...

Of course it's nothing to do with Max and Bernie's dislike of Dave Richards. At all. Oh no.

[9wQlZkIj]

'Stefan Grand Prix becomes the first team in F1 history who did send a 40 foot container full of equipment to the race in Bahrain without having entry for the 2010 season!'

What engines would (will) they use?

I believe the agreement with Toyota included their F1 engines as well as the TF110. Whether it would be badged differently or retain the Toyota name who knows.

[55Beaphable]

Bring back pre-quallys and the 107% rule!

[intorkercet]

Got to like the sheer determination of Mr Stefanovich.

Oh, and Stefan has nothing to do with Prodrive. Unlike Stefan GP, Prodrive hasn't got anything ready, which could even remotely remind F1 cars. And they were always going to be dependent on customer car service from McLaren, which is why they failed to reach the grid in 2008. As we remember, Prodrive also lost their bidding contest to Genii Capital, while trying to buy into the Renault team. I suspect Prodrive hasn't proved to F1 circles they are really financially strong enough to seriously cut it in F1.

[appletango]

Stefan GP has announced it will test its first Formula 1 car later this month in Portugal, as it continues to push with its plans to race in the sport this year despite not having an entry. http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/81219

The whole thing gets stranger and stranger. Nakajima has been signed up to drive, apparently. Oh, and guess which former McLaren designer is working for them now?

Just expecting Pat Symonds and Nelson Piquet Jr to be added to the team and the whole bizarre scenario is complete...

[MpNelQTU]

So, what are they trying to do?

Putting together a team without knowing wether they´ll have permission to race or not? That´s even more strange than getting permission now and managing to get everything ready for Bahrein.

In fact, I don´t know what´s the strangest... USF1´s obscurity, Campos´ funding or Stefan´s I-don´t-know-hot-to-call-it.

[paydayus]

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/81219

The photo of their office looks a LOT more realistic than those sterile and staged looking ones from WTF1 (a.k.a. USF1).

Let them race, I say!!

[intorkercet]

Stefanovich must have really got some money to have the ability to waste it so much (tests, car development, etc) without any guarantees. I don't think they have found any sponsors if they aren't guaranteed of exposure in an F1 race. So what is the benefit for Mr Zoran with this project if it fails to get off the ground in terms of racing in F1?

[Uzezqelj]

Good to know that if Campos or USF1 drop out Stefan will be able to take their place. I can't wait to see the Stefan S-01 powered by the Stefan RG-01 engine

[irrelaAnnekly]

I still don't understand why USF1 for example didn't buy the Toyota car, since it will be so much quicker than what they will produce. In fact all the new teams should have made a bid for the Toyota car.

[paydayus]

Stefanovich must have really got some money to have the ability to waste it so much (tests, car development, etc) without any guarantees. I don't think they have found any sponsors if they aren't guaranteed of exposure in an F1 race. So what is the benefit for Mr Zoran with this project if it fails to get off the ground in terms of racing in F1?

I think his business model may well stand on its own. It doesn't seem like he paid a whole lot for the Toyota leftovers, and apparently he is confident that money can be made testing "a current F1 car" in 2010... using it for rookies and pay drivers who want to get some F1 mileage, and using it in other promotional events.

The way I see it, there will be a different sponsor/livery on the car(s) depending on what it's being used for, who drives it, and who pays for the drive... and it's probably also cheaper to run tests than to be race ready and traveling all over the place all year.

Anthony Hamilton is using the same business model for his new enterprise, the difference is Stefan GP actually has a 2010 car to offer.

Who knows, if things go really well, they might even outfit another team with "Stefan RG-1" (or appropriately re-badged) engines next season - I could never really figure out why Honda and BMW didn't let their engines live on in a similar manner.

I think it's a very interesting out-of-the box addition to the F1 universe...

[Dabdklwu]

Stefanovich believes two teams may not make it onto the grid in time for the opener. He hasnt specified which 2, but we can all guess which two he suspects:

http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2010/02/0...ms-in-trouble/

[acissombiapse]

Stefanovich believes two teams may not make it onto the grid in time for the opener. He hasnt specified which 2, but we can all guess which two he suspects:

http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2010/02/0...ms-in-trouble/

Of the 2, Campos are the definite ones to be worried about although finance is their only problem, if Teixera does decide to invest in the team then they should be fine.

As for USF1, despite the wall of silence, i think they will be there in Bahrain. So as good and as well prepared as they are, it'll be 2011 before they come in i think.

The only way i can see them competing in 2010 is if they buy out Campos and their entry, and that wont happen

[AndyPharmc]

THIS IS GETTING RIDICULOUS NOW!!!!!!!:

Stefan GP hire shamed McLaren man Dave Ryan to join shamed McLaren man Coughlan:

http://www.jamesallenonf1.com/2010/0...n-campos-neck/

[Dabdklwu]

Of the 2, Campos are the definite ones to be worried about although finance is their only problem, if Teixera does decide to invest in the team then they should be fine.

As for USF1, despite the wall of silence, i think they will be there in Bahrain. So as good and as well prepared as they are, it'll be 2011 before they come in i think.

The only way i can see them competing in 2010 is if they buy out Campos and their entry, and that wont happen

I agree with your points. I think the future of Campos is unpredicatable for sure, It will be interesting to see which 13 teams are on the grid in a month and a half's time....

[GreesyBeeva]

From that jamesallenonf1.com/ article.

Sources suggest that the cars should be quiet competitive, if given a chance to compete, particularly in qualifying, ... Im sure they will be quiet, almost as if they didnt even start the engines.

[arindiruppya]

THIS IS GETTING RIDICULOUS NOW!!!!!!!:

Stefan GP hire shamed McLaren man Dave Ryan to join shamed McLaren man Coughlan:

http://www.jamesallenonf1.com/2010/0...n-campos-neck/

Awesome

I hear a guy called Nigel is going cheap too..

[DJElizardo]

Of course it's nothing to do with Max and Bernie's dislike of Dave Richards. At all. Oh no.

well that is what you get when you have a spot on the grid and don't turn up
prodrive did have a spot on the grid before and did not even try to build a car after they found out they could not use the car raced th year before this is why they were not picked again

[DJElizardo]

THIS IS GETTING RIDICULOUS NOW!!!!!!!:

Stefan GP hire shamed McLaren man Dave Ryan to join shamed McLaren man Coughlan:

http://www.jamesallenonf1.com/2010/0...n-campos-neck/

shamed McLaren man Dave Ryan ?
he lost his job because of a lying Fwit why sould he not get another job in f1

[effebrala]

Some powerful figures are said to be unsure about it. Ferrari are owed several million

Does he mean Dallara? Why would Campos owe Ferrari money? Or is he saying Texeira owes Ferrari money for use of their engines in A1 GP?