Hopeful teams facing August delay for 2011 decision

Hopeful teams are facing a delay in the FIA’s decision about the final place on the 2011 formula one grid.

That is the claim of Joan Villadelprat, whose Spanish outfit Epsilon Euskadi as well as Nicolas Todt’s ART are considered the two favourites for the 13th team entry.

The FIA’s expression of interest process ended in April, with teams then lodging full applications and a fee by the end of June followed by "due diligence leading to a decision in July".

But Villadelprat has now indicated that a delay is likely.

"I am optimistic about our chances," he is quoted by Italy’s Autosprint, "but worried that the FIA will make a decision probably in August."

"That gives the team an extremely short preparation time.

"It is therefore unavoidable at this stage to invest in the 2011 project without knowing whether we will be on the grid."

Villadelprat said he is targeting a start-up budget of EUR 100 million, which is substantially more than the amount being spent this year by any of the three new teams.

"With a lower budget we would only make up the numbers," he said.