F1: USF1 dead, FIA ponders green light for Stefan – Ecclestone

USF1'S DREAM IS definitely over, after the FIA reportedly decided to reject the American team's request to freeze its official entry until 2011.

Germany's Auto Motor und Sport reports that the governing body is now deciding whether or not to immediately pass the final team slot to Stefan GP mere days before the season begins in Bahrain.

Bernie Ecclestone said passing in the entry for an official tender process so close to the Bahrain deadline makes "little sense".

"As far I know, Stefan GP could race in Bahrain," said the F1 chief executive. "Yet you should not believe everything you hear because we don't want the opposite to come true.

"The FIA will conduct a business review, and if positive, Stefan GP might get off the line in Bahrain," Ecclestone, 79, added.

The Briton scoffed at reports that Stefan's hopes also rest with the unanimous agreement of all the other teams.

"This has nothing to do with the others," said Ecclestone. "It is entirely up to the FIA to say yes or no."

Kazuki Nakajima is lined up to drive one of Stefan's Toyota-powered 2010 cars, and Ecclestone said "it would be great" if Jacques Villeneuve gets the green light to occupy the sister seat.

With Peter Windsor believed to have already departed USF1, team principal Ken Anderson told BBC Sport on Wednesday that "we are done" in the event that the FIA rejects his request to freeze the entry until 2011.

The F1 world is now waiting on the final entry list to be published, and a FIA spokesman said on Wednesday a statement will be made "soon".

(GMM)