F1: USF1 Asks To Miss First Four Races

Formula 1

F1: USF1 Asks To Miss First Four Races

USF1 can still race this season, but must miss the first four races in order to do so...

SPEED Staff / GMM | Posted February 20, 2010 Charlotte, NC

USF1 principal Ken Anderson has said the team has asked the FIA to miss the first four races of the 2010 season. (Photo: LAT Photographic)

USF1 wants permission to miss the first four races of 2010, team principal Ken Anderson has confirmed.

In a report published by the New York Times, Anderson admitted that USF1 is in financial trouble.

Team USF1 principal Ken Anderson has formally petitioned the FIA to defer entry until the 2011 season. (Photo: LAT Photographic)

"We're working with the FIA to clarify how many races we can miss," he told the newspaper.

Anderson said the Concorde Agreement allows a team to miss three races per season, but the sport's governing body recently clarified that it would "constitute an infringement" of the rules.

He said he is waiting for a reply from FIA president Jean Todt, adding: "In an ideal world, we can miss the first four races and show up in Barcelona."

Anderson admitted that the FIA might turn down USF1's request and put the team out of business.

"I guess anything's possible. But what would be the point of that?" he said.

"Why would they give us a franchise and just, the first time there's a bump in the road, yank it and put it out of business? That's definitely not the message that I'm getting from them. They want to help us, not shut us down," added Anderson.

He said a quick answer from the FIA president "triggers funding and we're good to go".

"If it takes another week or two to make a decision, it keeps backing up," said Anderson.

He also clarified that Jose Maria Lopez remains under contract to race for USF1 in 2010, but did not contradict rumors that the Argentine could sign with another team.

"I'm sure he's weighing his options as well," Anderson said. He also denied that YouTube's Chad Hurley and sporting director Peter Windsor had left the team.

PLEASE NOTE: By clicking on links found on SPEEDtv.com, you are subject to that site's privacy policy when you leave our site. References in this website to any specific commercial products, process, service, manufacturer, or company does not constitute its endorsement or recommendation by SPEEDtv.com. SPEEDtv.com is not responsible for the contents of any "off-site" web page referenced from this server.

Tunnelheads, Pick Your Starters! Win Weekly! Win Monthly! Win The Championship!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

SPEED Staff / GMM

MORE BY THIS AUTHOR

F1: Kubica Return ‘Nearly Impossible’ - Source
Robert Kubica, formerly with BMW and Renault, crashed during a minor…
F1: Lotus Relations Turned Sour - Petrov
Caterham driver claims clashes with team members lead to ouster...…
F1: Grand Prix News Briefs (Update 3)
Bernie Ecclestone has said the deal to alternate race dates in Spain…