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Serbia’s Stefan GP Set to Join Formula One |
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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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