Stefan GP progress

DonTirri · Post by **DonTirri** » 18 Jan 2010, 13:57

Nuppiz wrote:
elho wrote:there's some news linking half schumacher with stefan gp...

They can't afford a whole one?

It's okay, I understood you meant Ralf.

Well to be fair to Elho, compared to his brother Ralf is pretty much Half a schumacher.

CarlosFerreira · Post by **CarlosFerreira** » 18 Jan 2010, 14:07

DonTirri wrote:
Nuppiz wrote:
elho wrote:there's some news linking half schumacher with stefan gp...

They can't afford a whole one?

It's okay, I understood you meant Ralf.

Well to be fair to Elho, compared to his brother Ralf is pretty much Half a schumacher.

It could also mean they are only interested in the first half Ralf Schumacher's career - that in which he was a good driver.

Yannick · Post by **Yannick** » 18 Jan 2010, 14:48

Why would Ralf want to drive a Stefan when he didn't want to drive a USF1? It would be great to see him back in the car for his "hometown's team".

elho · Post by **elho** » 18 Jan 2010, 17:04

DonTirri wrote:
Nuppiz wrote:
elho wrote:there's some news linking half schumacher with stefan gp...

They can't afford a whole one?

It's okay, I understood you meant Ralf.

Well to be fair to Elho, compared to his brother Ralf is pretty much Half a schumacher.

exactly, the mistake was proposital to make fun with Rafl being "half a schumacher" 8-)

thehemogoblin · Post by **thehemogoblin** » 18 Jan 2010, 20:38

elho wrote:there's some news linking half schumacher with stefan gp...

The rare "True Typo" makes an appearance.

homerbhoy · Post by **homerbhoy** » 29 Jan 2010, 13:33

Not sure if this has been a topic or not but thought since StefanGP has got Toyota 2010 plans are should they be allowed onto F1 grid instead of Campos who are struggling or USF1???

jackanderton · Post by **jackanderton** » 29 Jan 2010, 13:43

Bernie was so confident at least two new teams would pull out- despite those comments obviously being a warning shot for Campos and USF1 to get their act together- I assumed one of them would've gone by now.

Campos might make the grid but run out of money.

USF1's preparations seem like classic reject material, but ever since the Argentinian involvement it's lended them an undeserved slice of credibility.

Wouldn't it be too late for StefanGP, practically, to enter this year?

The FIA's decision to accept all these different entries seems like hedging their bets and praying that a few of them are competent enough to at least see out the season.

eagleash · Post by **eagleash** » 29 Jan 2010, 13:55

I'm with Jimmy Carr on this one.

When asked about Michael Jackson passing he said it was just like Diana...He couldn't give a F***.

Same applies here.

fjackdaw · Post by **fjackdaw** » 29 Jan 2010, 14:26

I want 26 cars on the grid, that's the only thing I really care about. But, having said that, Stefan is a more appealing name than Campos!

Post by **mario** » 29 Jan 2010, 14:54

jackanderton wrote:Bernie was so confident at least two new teams would pull out- despite those comments obviously being a warning shot for Campos and USF1 to get their act together- I assumed one of them would've gone by now.

Campos might make the grid but run out of money.

USF1's preparations seem like classic reject material, but ever since the Argentinian involvement it's lended them an undeserved slice of credibility.

Wouldn't it be too late for StefanGP, practically, to enter this year?

The FIA's decision to accept all these different entries seems like hedging their bets and praying that a few of them are competent enough to at least see out the season.

Well, with the sale to Teixeira reputedly being blocked by Bernie, since Teixeira has failed to clear his debts for A1GP, things aren't looking good for Campos. The USF1 entry now sounds more secure, given that the Argentinian government is providing financial backing for Lopez (and there is said to be interest from private Argentine backers aiming to cash in on Lopez's popularity).

As for Stefan GP, whilst there may be those who support their efforts, I don't think that they could actually prepare an entry for 2010 in time for the start of the season (after all, there are only 43 days until the start of the season as of today). The thing is, there is no guarantee that Stefan GP wouldn't go the same way as any of the other new entries - after all, beyond backing from the Serbian government, what other backing does he have?

jackanderton · Post by **jackanderton** » 29 Jan 2010, 14:59

Stefanovic could save money on wind tunnel facilities and simply position the chassis in front of his face every time he speaks.

Phoenix · Post by **Phoenix** » 29 Jan 2010, 15:08

Probably yes, but we won't get the real answer until 2011. Stefan GP has a project and, arguably, money.

Tealy · Post by **Tealy** » 29 Jan 2010, 15:28

mario wrote:The thing is, there is no guarantee that Stefan GP wouldn't go the same way as any of the other new entries - after all, beyond backing from the Serbian government, what other backing does he have?

Us!

Seriously though you are correct. It would be almost impossible to start from where he is now and make it to the grid with anything like a competitive car. His best hopes are on a team dropping out mid-season and getting the nod for 2011. At least then he has a chance of securing some half-decent sponsor money.

elho · Post by **elho** » 29 Jan 2010, 15:53

the stefan gp logo. kinda old school.
probably made in the MS Paint

Post by **DemocalypseNow** » 29 Jan 2010, 16:17

jackanderton wrote:Stefanovic could save money on wind tunnel facilities and simply position the chassis in front of his face every time he speaks.

Actually, AMCO have their own wind tunnel...so surprisingly he's got one up on USF1 in their wind-tunnel facilites are in house.
Not to mention he'll get free year old engines and a free driver, plus $10 million from the Bulgarian Tourist Board as sponsorship from the Fire King :mrgreen:

Edit: I don't think it's just Bernie who want Stefan GP to replace Campos/USF1...Whitmarsh may be using his brain for the first time for a long time.
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/81127

RejectSteve · Post by **RejectSteve** » 29 Jan 2010, 19:32

kostas22 wrote:Actually, AMCO have their own wind tunnel...so surprisingly he's got one up on USF1 in their wind-tunnel facilites are in house.
Not to mention he'll get free year old engines and a free driver, plus $10 million from the Bulgarian Tourist Board as sponsorship from the Fire King

AMCO is to Stefan GP as Red Bull is to, well, Red Bull Racing. Same difference except that AMCO (aerospace engineering) is more directly related to F1 than an energy drink and cola brand.

Captain Hammer · Post by **Captain Hammer** » 29 Jan 2010, 22:19

It's impossible to say. Campos is in trouble, and I believe the rumours of USF1's dire straits are grossly over-exaggerted by people with an agenda, but for all we know, Stefan GP is woefully incompetent.

frongor · Post by **frongor** » 29 Jan 2010, 22:27

I want as many cars as possible on the grid, so i am very positive of the changes for this season. Campos might be lacking money and be the minardi of this decade. Stefan obviously has support from Toyota, but can that really compensate the total lack of team structure?

fjackdaw · Post by **fjackdaw** » 29 Jan 2010, 22:35

The saddest thing if Campos goes is that Bruno Senna's F1 dreams are squashed before he even gets on the grid. Same with USF1 and Lopez. There can't be any worse feeling than being told you're going to be an F1 driver, then not. Except, possibly, catching on fire.

Phoenix · Post by **Phoenix** » 29 Jan 2010, 22:48

Captain Hammer wrote:It's impossible to say. Campos is in trouble, and I believe the rumours of USF1's dire straits are grossly over-exaggerted by people with an agenda, but for all we know, Stefan GP is woefully incompetent.

Is it? I heard Stefanovic don't know English, but, well, so does Zapatero, and is now presiding EU *sigh*
They don't seem all that bad.

Captain Hammer · Post by **Captain Hammer** » 29 Jan 2010, 22:50

If Campos sell to Stefan, it could well be a provision of the deal that Stefanovic takes Senna. However, there have been some reports that Campos made Stefanovic an offer for the team and Stefanovic turned it down because Campos was also looking to sell the debt due to Dallara with the rest of the team.

Phoenix wrote:Is it? I heard Stefanovic don't know English, but, well, so does Zapatero, and is now presiding EU *sigh*
They don't seem all that bad.

I said for all we know, Stefan GP is woefully incompetent, not that they actually are incompetent.

Phoenix · Post by **Phoenix** » 29 Jan 2010, 23:04

For all I know, it could do it better than Campos and USF1.

watka · Post by **watka** » 29 Jan 2010, 23:20

frongor wrote:I want as many cars as possible on the grid, so i am very positive of the changes for this season. Campos might be lacking money and be the Forti of this decade. Stefan obviously has support from Toyota, but can that really compensate the total lack of team structure?

Corrected, now all they need is a long-past-it Brazilian who will drive any old rubbish car to sign up for the second seat. Nelson Piquet Jr anyone?

TeamTipper · Post by **TeamTipper** » 30 Jan 2010, 00:42

The issue is are any of the 3 teams (stefan campos and USF1) are ready? StefanGP have just got into the old Toyota Factory and yes the cars have been built for this year but in less than 2 months F1 starts and that sounds like Lola 97. USF1 siging payed drivers to me sounds that their entry was a gimmick. Campos has good racing background however even though Dallara are building their cars for them it sounds like the team just doesnt have funding backing or a future with them not testing this wont last well. The FIA needs to choose the teams more carefully or maybe do like the early 90's era have DNQ back and let more teams in and if that happens then we will find the true Pro teams than the Gimmick teams.

Captain Hammer · Post by **Captain Hammer** » 30 Jan 2010, 01:26

- Although Stefan has built their cars in two months, they were not designed in two months. They are building off the plans for the abandoned Toyota TF110, which had been in the design stage for months because Toyota Racing were told to assume they would be competing in 2010 unless told otherwise.
- USF1 are no gimmick; they have said they planned to enter for 2010 even if the grid was not opened up. They may have signed a pay driver, but they are not the only ones. Renault are considering Vitaly Petrov and Force India have Adrian Sutil; both are paying, but are you doubting those teams?
- Campos ar clearly in trouble, but excatly how much trouble is open to debate. They claim they may miss testing altogether, but Tony Teixeria reckons they will be at the thrid test, if not the second; they say they may miss it to make it look better when they do show up.

TeamTipper · Post by **TeamTipper** » 30 Jan 2010, 03:15

Note: Vitaly Petrov isnt a pay driver. Renault arent that poor.
He does have quite a bit of Russian Sponsors.

Captain Hammer · Post by **Captain Hammer** » 30 Jan 2010, 04:11

TeamTipper wrote:Note: Vitaly Petrov isnt a pay driver. Renault arent that poor.
He does have quite a bit of Russian Sponsors.

Uh, Petrov is a pay driver. What he's doing is kind of the definition of a pay driver: he's offering fifteen million Euros in the form of sponsorship in exchange for a seat. Renault receive that fifteen million Euros from Petrov's sponsors and coat their car with the sponsors' logos.

Fitch · Post by **Fitch** » 30 Jan 2010, 04:48

Reports are now circulating through the Motorsports Press in Europe that Campos may be Forced to withdraw their Entry if it cannot guarantee a full budget for the 2010 season.........

Captain Hammer · Post by **Captain Hammer** » 30 Jan 2010, 06:49

They've got until Monday, apparently.

Phoenix · Post by **Phoenix** » 30 Jan 2010, 12:46

Fitch wrote:Reports are now circulating through the Motorsports Press in Europe that Campos may be Forced to withdraw their Entry if it cannot guarantee a full budget for the 2010 season.........

A doubt: if that happens, would Stefan GP or any other team be able to get their entry?

thehemogoblin · Post by **thehemogoblin** » 30 Jan 2010, 12:48

... also, from what I've seen on here, Sutil's sponsorship money isn't particularly great.

Post by **mario** » 30 Jan 2010, 18:06

Phoenix wrote:
Fitch wrote:Reports are now circulating through the Motorsports Press in Europe that Campos may be Forced to withdraw their Entry if it cannot guarantee a full budget for the 2010 season.........

A doubt: if that happens, would Stefan GP or any other team be able to get their entry?

If, and this is a big if, there are no time limts on when a new team can be admitted to the grid, then the grid slot will go to the team which the FIA nominated as the reserve team. Who that is remains unclear, although since Stefan GP's applcation for a grid slot was never formally accepted by the FIA, I suspect that the grid slot would be awarded to Lola.

Post by **DemocalypseNow** » 30 Jan 2010, 18:14

mario wrote:
Phoenix wrote:
Fitch wrote:Reports are now circulating through the Motorsports Press in Europe that Campos may be Forced to withdraw their Entry if it cannot guarantee a full budget for the 2010 season.........

A doubt: if that happens, would Stefan GP or any other team be able to get their entry?

If, and this is a big if, there are no time limts on when a new team can be admitted to the grid, then the grid slot will go to the team which the FIA nominated as the reserve team. Who that is remains unclear, although since Stefan GP's applcation for a grid slot was never formally accepted by the FIA, I suspect that the grid slot would be awarded to Lola.

I'm pretty sure Lola withdrew from the reserve list several months ago...as did Epsilon Eskudai, so that leaves the list empty? I don't remember any other teams being in the list.

Phoenix · Post by **Phoenix** » 30 Jan 2010, 22:04

mario wrote:
Phoenix wrote:
Fitch wrote:Reports are now circulating through the Motorsports Press in Europe that Campos may be Forced to withdraw their Entry if it cannot guarantee a full budget for the 2010 season.........

A doubt: if that happens, would Stefan GP or any other team be able to get their entry?

If, and this is a big if, there are no time limts on when a new team can be admitted to the grid, then the grid slot will go to the team which the FIA nominated as the reserve team. Who that is remains unclear, although since Stefan GP's applcation for a grid slot was never formally accepted by the FIA, I suspect that the grid slot would be awarded to Lola.

Thanks

Shame that Stefan was not chosen as a reserve team and, as kostas22 pointed out, Lola and Epsilon Euskadi may have withdrawn their applications. Although they wouldn't have anything all the same...

Post by **mario** » 31 Jan 2010, 12:50

kostas22 wrote:I'm pretty sure Lola withdrew from the reserve list several months ago...as did Epsilon Eskudai, so that leaves the list empty? I don't remember any other teams being in the list.

Thanks for correcting me - yes, having checked throught the press reports, they did withdraw their entry last year, although they did subsequently express an interest in F1, and did work on their design for a while in the hope that they could sell it to one of the other new entrants.
It is an awkward situation for the FIA in any case - if they want to withdraw the entry rights for Campos, then Stefan GP is one of the few teams which could take their place. But, Stefan GP has not gone through the application process, has no contracts for tyre supplies, transport etc., they would have to sign the new Concorde agreement - it'd be a rush to get them through the season. And if the FIA turns to a diferent outfit, 1 and 1/2 months is nowhere near long enough for a team to get ready for Bahrein.
But, on the other hand, they face being ridiculed and humiliated if they stick with Campos, only for them to collapse.

Phoenix · Post by **Phoenix** » 31 Jan 2010, 12:57

mario wrote:
kostas22 wrote:I'm pretty sure Lola withdrew from the reserve list several months ago...as did Epsilon Eskudai, so that leaves the list empty? I don't remember any other teams being in the list.

Thanks for correcting me - yes, having checked throught the press reports, they did withdraw their entry last year, although they did subsequently express an interest in F1, and did work on their design for a while in the hope that they could sell it to one of the other new entrants.
It is an awkward situation for the FIA in any case - if they want to withdraw the entry rights for Campos, then Stefan GP is one of the few teams which could take their place. But, Stefan GP has not gone through the application process, has no contracts for tyre supplies, transport etc., they would have to sign the new Concorde agreement - it'd be a rush to get them through the season. And if the FIA turns to a diferent outfit, 1 and 1/2 months is nowhere near long enough for a team to get ready for Bahrein.
But, on the other hand, they face being ridiculed and humiliated if they stick with Campos, only for them to collapse.

It will be difficult that it gets more embarrasing than it was with Lola in 1997.

Yannick · Post by **Yannick** » 31 Jan 2010, 14:09

If Stefan GP were to be let in, they really should be allowed to enter in 2010 because entering in 2011 with a year-old Toyota TF-110 would guarantee them a profile on the site. It would be nice to see that car on track, since Toyota have showed clear signs of progress over 2009. It may be the best car they have ever built for F1.

I have no idea whether Stefan GP would last past the Belgian GP, but with the car they have, they should be able to score some decent results. And that's what you need to survive in F1.

They should be allowed to test the car at the official test sessions in Spain. There, they could show everybody how serious they actually are. No Concorde Agreement can stop them from taking part in a test session, can it?

mediocre · Post by **mediocre** » 31 Jan 2010, 14:22

kostas22 wrote:I'm pretty sure Lola withdrew from the reserve list several months ago...as did Epsilon Eskudai, so that leaves the list empty? I don't remember any other teams being in the list.

What happened to Prodrive?

shinji · Post by **shinji** » 31 Jan 2010, 14:59

mediocre wrote:
kostas22 wrote:I'm pretty sure Lola withdrew from the reserve list several months ago...as did Epsilon Eskudai, so that leaves the list empty? I don't remember any other teams being in the list.

What happened to Prodrive?

Didn't we think they might get involved with Renault at one point? Haven't heard anything since that.

What with their failure to reach the grid in 2006 I doubt they're in the FIA's good books.

AndreaModa · Post by **AndreaModa** » 31 Jan 2010, 21:34

Hmm prodrive had some pretty advanced plans and infrastructure to enter for 2010, remember they were one of the favourites to get selected, along with lola.

Speaking of Lola I remember hearing that they would continue to work on their designs, with a view to entering in 2011 if any of the new teams fail, a bit like stefan gp are doing now.

If either campos or usf1 fall now that will be it for this season I think. The fia will look rather silly having chosen them (lets be honest here) purely for being located somewhere other than the Midlands and to gve f1 a global appeal. It will probably put off a lot of teams looking to graduate into F1 in the future too. Theres a new GP3 team, I think they're called Status or something like that, they've announced recently they want to move up into F1 in the future. That sort of talk is bound to change if half of the new teams entering in 2010 can't even make it to the first race.