Richards not committing to 2010 team entry

[John S]

Well that's one to cross off Max's grid filling list then.

The fight between existing Formula One teams and the FIA is a spanner in the works of David Richards' prospective entry for 2010.

The former Benetton and BAR boss was planning a budget-capped entry for next year, to run under his Prodrive or Aston Martin brands, or in the guise of a Middle Eastern-funded foray.

But with major current teams now threatening to quit over Max Mosley's cost-slashing methods, Richards is not yet committing to making the May 29 deadline for a 2010 team entry.

"We are very concerned about the controversy these proposals have created with the existing teams and the uncertainty that this has created," he told GPWeek.

"It is important for us and our partners that there is stability in the sport with broad alignment on the future direction of Formula One and this will be a critical issue in our decision-making process as to whether or not to make an entry," added Richards.   
 
In fact, given the uncertainty and the existing teams' threats, it is likely that, come May 29, only three or four teams will actually meet the FIA's entry deadline.

But that doesn't mean that, despite the 13 two-car team vacancies, the May 29 deadline will lock in a six or eight-car grid for 2010.

An FIA spokesman confirmed that entries after May 29 "would be accepted with the appropriate late entry fee."

Of course, in view of the ongoing talks with the existing teams and the factors still at play, nothing prevents the FIA from simply extending the May 29 deadline in order to allow the interested parties time to assess the situation - in addition to postponing any late entry fees resulting directly from the current uncertainty.

D.B. © CAPSIS International

[Jericoke]

Well, this shows how important consistent rules are!

Although I do wonder... if Ferrari and Renault are ready to pull out of F1, it really does allow more room for a new entry to shine!  There might not be a better time to get into F1.

[Scott]

And the whole thing is over one stupid rule.

Anyone know how much the "appropriate" late entry fee is?

[Jericoke]

And the whole thing is over one stupid rule.

Anyone know how much the "appropriate" late entry fee is?

I'm sure it's a sliding scale... McLaren would be hundreds of millions, while Ferrari would receive a welcome back payment in the tens of millions.

[John S]

And the whole thing is over one stupid rule.

Anyone know how much the "appropriate" late entry fee is?

I'm sure it's a sliding scale... McLaren would be hundreds of millions, while Ferrari would receive a welcome back payment in the tens of millions.

 

[Alianora La Canta]

Anyone know how much the "appropriate" late entry fee is?

No. It's not written down anywhere, the FIA can charge what they like and they can charge different amounts to different teams according to whatever whims they like. I don't think they can pay Ferrari to come back, but they could charge a token £0.01 - or maybe £200 million if they want to make an example and really don't care about it any more.