Since the tires manufactured by Bridgestone can only be used by FIA-licensed teams, the Serbian outfit found itself in a situation where they have a well-prepared car for a potential 2010 campaign but no tires. As reported earlier this week, the team's boss Zoran Stefanovic pushed for a GP2-spec tires lot to replace the F1-spec ones, but it seems that request was also denied.
“The (GP2) circuit is also under contract with the FIA, so we can't get their tires either. We could get tires from other manufacturers similar to those used in the formula one circuit but these are not approved for formula one and we're not going to take any chances because we could have an accident in testing,” confirmed Stefanovic in an interview with Balkan Insight.
Under the circumstances, even if Stefan GP are handed an F1 entry by the FIA this week – the ruling body is currently investigating US F1's financial possibilities for the 2010 season – the Serbian team might be forced to make the Bahrain Grand Prix grid without any testing mileage.
“We're waiting for something to happen because the time span is very short and the deadline for Bahrain is approaching. If you are going to Bahrain you have to be packed by next Wednesday and we think we will be able to do something by then,” added the Stefan GP team boss.
Something that Stefan GP failed to consider until now was the fact that a FIA entry depends on the unanimous consent of the other teams part of the Formula One Teams Association (FOTA). This is where it could get tricky for the Serbian team, as one member of their team – namely Mike Coughlan, the McLaren employee that started the entire spy-gate back in 2007 – is not at all welcomed inside the F1 paddock again.
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