Full Throttle

The wait is over, D-Day has arrived and Mad Max left his London Den of Sin long enough to publish the official entry list for the 2010 Championship Season.

Following the completion of the applications process for teams to compete in the 2010 FIA Formula One World Championship, the following teams have been confirmed.

TEAM CONSTRUCTOR
SCUDERIA FERRARI MARLBORO
SCUDERIA TORO ROSSO
RED BULL RACING
AT&T WILLIAMS
FORCE INDIA F1 TEAM
CAMPOS GRAND PRIX
MANOR GRAND PRIX
TEAM US F1
VODAFONE McLAREN MERCEDES*
BMW SAUBER F1 TEAM*
RENAULT F1 TEAM*
PANASONIC TOYOTA RACING*
BRAWN GP FORMULA ONE TEAM* FERRARI
STR TBA
RBR RENAULT
WILLIAMS TOYOTA
FORCE INDIA MERCEDES
CAMPOS COSWORTH
MANOR COSWORTH
TEAM US F1 COSWORTH
McLAREN MERCEDES
BMW SAUBER
RENAULT
TOYOTA
BRAWN TBA

(Presumably the TBA for Brawn is for their engine manufacture. AUTOSPORT understands the Manor Grand Prix team is headed by F3 team boss John Booth and former GP team owner Nick Wirth. And what of Prodrive, I was sure they would be on the list of Three Anointed Ones - ed.)

*These five teams have submitted conditional entries.The FIA has invited them to lift those conditions following further discussions to be concluded not later than close of business on Friday 19 June.

The maximum number of cars permitted to enter the 2010 Championship has been increased to 26, two being entered by each competitor. Pending completion of the discussions referred to above, further due diligence is currently taking place on other potential entries.

UPDATE: Lola and Prodrive have issued the following statmemts:

Lola Group has released the following statement: “The Lola Group acknowledges receipt of the communication from the FIA announcing the entry list for the 2010 FIA Formula One World Championship.

“The Lola F1 Team is not currently listed as an entrant but will continue to remain in discussion with the FIA as a potential new entry until the extended deadline of June 19th 2009.”

A statement from Prodrive reads: “We are naturally disappointed by the FIA’s decision not to include Prodrive in the preliminary entry list for 2010 as we believe we have the resources and set-up to be competitive in Formula One and would make a positive contribution to the sport.

“However, this weekend our attention is one hundred per cent focused on our Aston Martin team at Le Mans. For the first time we are challenging for outright victory with a three-car line-up, following two consecutive GT1 class wins, on the 50th anniversary of Aston Martin’s historic 1959 win at the circuit de La Sarthe.”

UPDATE II As can be expected Cosworth is happy:

“I am pleased that Cosworth’s exceptional mix of capabilities has enabled us to provide a solution for Formula 1 that sits so neatly with our existing operations in the aerospace and defence sectors,” said Cosworth CEO Tim Routsis.

“Cosworth is proud not only to be able to provide a solution that will deliver the performance needed by these teams to compete in this most technologically challenging sport, but also to extend its long association with Formula 1 as a truly independent provider of competitive motive power.

“Today our engineering capabilities extend beyond racing, encompassing high-technology applications in the aerospace, defence, energy, marine and automotive industries. Cosworth has the necessary infrastructure to fulfil the supply of Formula 1 engines without affecting our other activities.”

UPDATE III: FOTA makes a plea to WMSC:

In the letter, a copy of which has been seen by AUTOSPORT, the FOTA members state that the teams would ‘reluctantly’ be forced to seek alternative solutions if the matter is not sorted out by next week.

“All of these teams are united in their concerns about the present situation and are deeply worried about the crisis that Formula 1 now faces, a crisis that appears to be self generated,” wrote FOTA.

“In a final attempt to resolve this crisis, further meetings are scheduled for the next seven days. We would urge your support to ensure the outcome of these meetings achieves a solution that allows long established competitors to continue in their sport within a framework of sound governance and stability that will ensure the future and sustainability of Formula 1.” (READ the rest)

UPDATE IV: Ferrari issues ultimatum., And here is their statement issued.

Maranello, 12th June 2009 - Following publication of the list of entries for the 2010 Formula One World Championship, which includes Ferrari as an unconditional entrant, Ferrari wishes to state the following:

• Ferrari submitted on 29 May 2009 an entry to the 2010 FIA Formula One World Championship which is subject to certain conditions. As of today, these conditions have not been met;

• notwithstanding this and despite Ferrari’s previous written notice to the FIA not to do so, the FIA has included Ferrari as a unconditional participant in next year’s Formula One World Championship. For the avoidance of any doubt, Ferrari reaffirms that it shall not take part in the 2010 FIA Formula One World Championship under the regulations adopted by the FIA in violation of Ferrari’s rights under a written agreement with the FIA.

UPDATE V: Gee what a “shock,” Red Bull and presumably Torro Russo join Ferrari in protest.

“Following the FIA’s publication of the entry list for the 2010 FIA Formula One World Championship, Red Bull Racing would like to make it clear that its entry was submitted as a conditional entry, consistent with those of all other FOTA members.

Red Bull Racing remains committed to FOTA and fully endorses all its principles.”