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Epsilon and N.Technology Confirm F1 Entry

Considering the latest news regarding the FIA applications for the 2010 Formula One Championship entry list, it seems the ruling body might be covered if the FOTA teams decide not to continue inside the sport. As it has surfaced in the past few days, Epsilon Euskadi and N.Technology have both confirmed lodging an F1 entry, which brings the number of teams applying for a Formula One spot to ten.

Under the circumstances, the 2010 field would be comprised of no less than 20 cars, more than enough to sustain a competitive series. Well, at least in theory it does. The FIA seem in no mood to renounce their budget cap proposal for the upcoming season, which may very well equal a dead-end in their ongoing dispute with the FOTA (who want nothing to know about budget caps in F1).

Regardless of the aforementioned state of conflict between the two bodies, Epsilon boss Joan Villadelprat confirmed his team has already secured the budget for the upcoming 4 years, in addition to setting the base of a multi-level F1 project, totally different from the ones presented by the other outfits.

We have the infrastructure, with an investment of €65 million, something that not everybody has. We have a wind tunnel, autoclaves, etc. And right now I can say that, if we are chosen, we have the budget secured for the next four years,” confirmed Villadelprat for British magazine Autosport.

Villadelprat is no stranger of Formula One action, as he used to work teams like McLaren, Ferrari and Renault during the past 25 years. Also, his company's wind tunnel was subject to negotiation with new team US F1 earlier this year, as the North American outfit was aiming to secure a European base for their F1 operations.

Our entry was submitted last week. We lodged it on Wednesday and received confirmation by the FIA on Thursday. I was being discreet and didn't want to talk too much because I was finalising the financial part,” added Villadelprat.

Epsilon and N.Technology therefore join Prodrive, Lola, USF1, Superfund, March, Campos, Litespeed and Brabham as F1 aspirants for the 2010 season. If the FOTA teams do agree to continue their F1 operations from next year onwards, only three of those teams will be confirmed by the FIA on June 12th, the day the ruling body will publish the 2010 entry list.
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