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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Friday, June 12, 2009

Auto racing: U.S. team among 13 in F1 for 2010 season


Associated Press

PARIS — Formula One will feature three new teams in the 2010 season, including one from the United States.

The sport's governing body FIA announced a lineup of 13 teams Friday, including new entrants Campos Grand Prix of Spain, Britain-based Manor and American team US F1.

US F1 is based in Charlotte, N.C., and led by team principal Ken Anderson, a former technical director for F1 teams Ligier and Onyx. The team said it hopes to show "that American technology, American drivers and the American competitive spirit can compete and win on the F1 global stage."

Yet Ferrari and other teams are still threatening to withdraw from competition unless plans for a budget cap are scrapped. All 10 current entrants are on the list, despite an ongoing rift between the FIA and the Formula One Teams Association over a proposed $60 million cap that is set to become mandatory next season.

FOTA had submitted a joint conditional bid to compete next season, but the FIA still listed Ferrari, Red Bull and Toro Rosso as having filed unconditional entries. Five other teams — McLaren, Renault, Brawn GP, BMW Sauber and Toyota — were given a week to submit unconditional entries for next season or risk losing their places.

Friday's list seemed to anger Ferrari, which has objected to the spending limit, and the Italian team reiterated that it would quit the sport if the plans are pushed through for next year.

Ferrari said its entry bid was "subject to certain conditions. As of today, these conditions have not been met."

Red Bull Racing also issued a statement to clarify that its bid "was submitted as a conditional entry, consistent with those of all other FOTA members."

Williams and Force India defied FOTA by submitting unconditional bids.

The three new teams will feature engines and technical support from Cosworth. It first entered F1 in the 1960s but has not been involved in the sport since 2006, after Williams and Toro Rosso switched to other suppliers.

Manor was formed in 1990 and has previously competed in Formula Renault and Formula 3, while Campos was created by former F1 driver Adrian Campos in 1998 and won last year's GP2 Series title.

The teams have yet to announce their drivers for next year.