Ecclestone Doubts US F1 Will Make 2010 Grid

Although Formula One fans worldwide are dying to see how the series will look like with at least 26 cars on the grid – there might be 28 if the FIA allows the newly Sauber Team to take part in the 2010 championship – the very boss of the Great Circle now tells them to hold their horses. According to Bernie Ecclestone, we should not expect that many teams in 2010, as he doubts some of them are actually going to be there at the season opener, in Bahrain.

Initially, the International Automobile Federation (FIA) allowed 3 teams to enter the series for the 2010 Formula One Championship: US Grand Prix Engineering (formerly known as US F1), Campos Grand Prix and Manor Grand Prix. Following the BMW announcement that they'll pull the plug on their F1 operations at the end of 2009, the ruling body reopened the entry list to replace the Swiss team.

Consequently, Middle East backed Lotus F1 Team were granted permission to start their own team in the series, only days before BMW announced they have come to an agreement with Swiss foundation Qadbak for selling their team. Under the circumstances, Sauber's position in next year's championship is still under being scrutinized by the FIA.

Their chances of being part of the 2010 roster now received a boost from Ecclestone, as the 78-year old revealed US Grand Prix Engineering are in doubt for next year.

“I think one or two might not turn up. That's what I'm being told; possibly USF1 are a doubt,” Ecclestone was quoted as saying to British broadcaster BBC during the last weekend's Singapore Grand Prix.

From the initial new entries announced by the FIA, only the North Carolina based outfit is yet to become part of the Formula One Teams Association (FOTA). Manor and Campos have been confirmed by the FOTA last week.