FIA confirms USF1 entry fee paid
November 13, 2009 by Negative Camber
Filed under Prime & Option, Top Story
The USF1 team has paid their $440,000 entry fee to the FIA according to FIA Senate President Nick Craw. Craw, being American, is certainly keen to see the team succeed in F1 and has confirmed the payment has cleared and that USF1 is looking good for entry in 2010:
“There are probably some people who would like to see the US team fall by the wayside so they could have their spot on the grid,” said the American, part of the FIA’s new leadership under president Jean Todt.
“In the old days… we used to never count an entry as being real until the cheque had arrived and had cleared. And of course entry fees were non-refundable,” he added.
“If you want any proof as to whether US F1 is going to be there or not, they sent their entry fee in 10 days ago and the number is close to $440,000 so they are going to be there and they are going to make us proud.”
This is good news and also bodes well for Peter Windsor and Ken Anderson’s all-American team. The fee is not chump change and if there were hesitations to their intent for 2010, thy may have thought twice about offering a non-refundable check for $440,000. Clearly Craw’s implied suggestion.
USF1 has been subject to some odd rumors and unique PR moves but here at F1B, we want this team to succeed and look forward to seeing the finished car. Yes, it may be a case of the “little team that could” but then were the Brit’s any less excited about the fact that Brawn GP actually made it to the grid in 2009?
I am not suggesting that USF1 can win the title next year, like Brawn GP did, but I am suggesting that it has been a long time since we have seen an American team and afford some creative excitement as we too would like to see out team field a competitive car in 2010.
Having an F1 team in America is one thing but having a Grand Prix is another. What does Nick think of having a US grand Prix?
“I think everybody from the commercial rights holder to the teams and the sponsors to all the drivers see the absence of a US Grand Prix as being a huge liability,” he said.
“It’s the number one market in the world and everyone wants to be there and needs to be there.
“Having said that, there is only one circuit in the United States that has a grade one licence, which is what you need for Formula One, and that’s Indianapolis. And there’s probably no deal forthcoming there,” he added.
“If you’ve seen some of the Taj Mahals that have been built for the Formula One circuit these days, I don’t see any budget for that in the United States,” continued the American.
“So I think the likelihood is much higher that we will see a temporary street circuit in and around a major metropolitan area and there are two or three right now that are looking at that possibility.
“So I am reasonably optimistic that can be brought to bear in the fairly near future.”
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Man would I love to see USF1 on the grid. Are they actually going to be USF1? Is it official?
A race in the US, haven’t we talked about this?
New York/Boston – Seriously, have you driven on those roads?
Detroit – Remember that old circuit? Heard it was really rough. Why was it they stopped using it?
San Francisco – Imagine an F1 race that used the Golden Gate, and took place up and down the classic hills like it Bullitt
Long Beach? Would be silly without Toyota there, since they are the title sponsor for the event.
I got this news in a message last night, and my first thought was its awesome news. My second thought was I bet Todd will be smiling after hearing this. Of the new teams for next year, USF1 is the one I am most excited about.
I am even tempted to support them from day one. Heck I might even buy a hat.
What wasn’t reported was that their entry fee was paid by walmart gift cards and mcdonalds sundaes coupons
Hi all well done on a great web site iv just found.Can anyone tell me what the leaver down by the drivers left knee is. It seems to be on the left in all cars apart from the Ferrari where it seems to be on the right and the Mclaren does not look like it has one. If you watch the in car footage from the offical F1 site you can see what i mean.
Cheers
Ant
Well, they are paid up… now if only the lump isn’t disappointing (I know Cosworth of old and in the aviation world – they’ll get it right), the aerodynamics are tested as slick (NASCAR hardly has much expertise here), drivers can be found (NC: Any ideas yet?) we’ll see them in March on the grid.
As for a US street circuit… how about Houston? Money, weather and perfectly flat roads (albeit concrete – is that a problem?).
Oh, come on…no flat circuits. Tired of them. And no cities. Well, if we’re gonna go the “city” way, NYC should be where it’s gotta be, but I don’t think it’s gonna happen. Streets around here suck.
Why not a traditional venue like Watkins Glenn. The safety aspect is okay, plenty of grass to sit on… even Lime Rock… why not have a “picnic’ F1 instead of fancy (Bernie cash in $$$) venues, for a change?
They started posting US F1 Day videos on Youtube a few weeks back. Here’s the first one:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mJTynvakZok
Funny stuff. ;p