| Serbia’s Stefan GP Set to Join Formula One |
| 25.02.10
As deadline looms for team to take part in Bahrain Grand Prix in March, Stefanovic stresses potential boost to Serbia's world image.
The Stefan GP team, owned by Serbian engineer Zoran Stefanovic, appears set to become the latest Formula One entry and has a good chance of joining the circuit when the season gets underway at the Bahrain Grand Prix next month, Stefanovic told Reuters in Belgrade in an exclusive interview.
The Toyota-backed team is on course to replace either Spain's Campus or the US. F1 outfit, which are reportedly facing financial difficulties and look unlikely to be ready for the Bahrain curtain-raiser.
Stefanovic has already secured the services of Japanese driver Kazuki Nakajima. He also hopes to sign former world champion Jacques Villeneuve and to obtain proper Formula One tyres.
"We're waiting for something to happen because the time span is very short and the deadline for Bahrain is approaching. If you are going to Bahrain you have to be packed by next Wednesday and we think we will be able to do something by then," Stefanovic said.
"We have not signed Villeneuve yet but everything except his signature has been done. We will probably reach some sort of an agreement in the next two or thee days," he added.
Stefanovic, who has been involved in engineering for the last five years and has always taken keen interest in the money-spinning Formula One circuit, also faces a race against time to obtain FIA-approved tyres before the Bahrain Grand Prix on March 14.
"We have been unable to get the Formula One tyres because the FIA and Formula One have a contract stipulating that only the teams that are already in Formula One can get Bridgestone tyres," Stefanovic said.
"The Grand Prix 2 circuit is also under contract with the FIA, so we can't get their tyres either," he added.
"We could get tyres from other manufacturers similar to those used in the Formula One circuit but these are not approved for Formula One and we're not going to take any chances because we could have an accident in testing.
"If we had several months, we could try to do something but now it's not possible and we're not going to risk damaging a car so close to the start of the season.
"At the end of the day, we believe the FIA has to release the proper tyres to us for safety reasons. We expect it to happen and we have very good faith that it is going to happen," he continued.
With the deadline looming to get FIA approval to compete, it is still possible that Stefan GP could miss the start of the season and have to join the circuit later, or even be admitted in 2011.
"Technically it is possible but we are going to be in Bahrain. We are not saying it's for sure, but we are looking forward to it," Stefanovic said.
Stefanovic insisted his relationship with Bernie Ecclestone was purely professional, in the wake of media reports that the Formula One boss was going out of his way to help Stefan GP become a part of the circuit in the nick of time.
"I think Bernie supports everyone on the circuit and I think he supports us because we are pushing for it," Stefanovic said.
When Stefan GP cars eventually come toe to toe with more powerful engines on the starting grid, finishing a race will be the priority against the likes of Ferrari, McLaren, Williams and Mercedes.
"Our first objective is to participate and we are not going to predict any results yet. We firmly believe our Toyota car is good, but coming to the race track and competing is the first goal," Stefanovic said.
He underscored that entering the Formula One business would be useful for Serbia's overall image.
"The impact will be huge and a lot of people in Serbia don't realise that yet," Stefanovic said.
"The positive image of Serbia being a part of Formula One is something any country would wish for, so it's a plus one way or another."
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| Dusko Tosic to exit Portsmouth after Premier League withhold Serbian's registration |
| 25.02.10
Portsmouth defender Dusko Tosic is ready to leave the club now on a free transfer as a bizarre consequence of their financial plight.
The 25-year-old Serbia international signed outside the window as a free agent having cancelled his contract at Werder Bremen but, after Portsmouth were threatened with a winding up order, the Premier League withheld his registration - preventing him from playing in league games.
Brief stay: Tosic is set to depart Fratton Park
There was even some concern that his inclusion as a substitute in Portsmouth's FA Cup squad tie against Southampton would threaten their status in the cup as a consequence - but the FA confirmed yesterday that the club was safe as different regulations apply to their competition.
However, the transfer is still an embarrassment to Portsmouth. As he has not been registered, the £5m-rated left-back can still leave on a free. Valencia have already inquired but he would prefer to stay in the Premier League.
Portsmouth's last attempt to avoid administration has failed after the Premier League refused to advance any cash from television rights or parachute payments.
Owner Balram Chainrai was unable to convince Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore and general secretary Mike Foster to bail out Portsmouth at a meeting on Tuesday.
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| Serbia draws U.S. in 2010 Davis Cup first round |
| 16.02.10
Serbia will face the United States on an indoor clay surface in Belgrade for its first-round Davis Cup match on 5-7 March 2010. The Serbia-U.S. match will be played at the 20,000-seat Belgrade Arena. The draw for the 2010 Davis Cup World Group was held in Geneva, Switzerland in September 2009.
Serbia and USA have never previously met and both teams will be harbouring hopes of progressing to the quarterfinals. Novak Djokovic and Andy Roddick are their respective country's top players and, if they both play, will face each other in the opening singles rubber on day three.
Serbia has a relatively short Davis Cup history having competed as Serbia & Montenegro and Yugoslavia in years gone by. In 2009, Serbia was beaten by Spain 4-1 in the first round before easing to victory over Uzbekistan in the play-offs to retain its spot in the World Group.
USA is the competition's most successful nation having been crowned champion on 32 occasions. Its most recent triumph came in 2007 when Russia was defeated 4-1 in the Final. In 2009, the Americans beat Switzerland but lost in the quarterfinals to Croatia.
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