FIA reject Villeneuve team for 2011; FIA extends season
The Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile have rejected multiple applications of hopefuls seeking to fill the 13th spot on the Formula 1 team circuit. Among the rejected was former F1 champ Jacques Villeneuve. So far, all entries have been rejected, and this comes as a huge disappointment for Villeneuve who had aspirations of making a return to F1 in the coming year.
In a statement issued by FIA, the organization declared, “None of the candidates meet the requirements to be granted an entry.”
The decision comes as a surprise to those who anticipated Villeneuve's return. It is unclear which set of requirements the team failed to meet. "To be dubbed “Villeneuve Racing,” the infant team had passed previous requirements and looked to be a decent prospect for the 2011 season. Also rejected was Spain’s Epsilon Euskadi, which was previously turned down in 2009.
Alongside its rejections, FIA’s bans on former Renault’s executives Flavio Briatore and Pat Symonds from the sport have been overturned by the French courts – a decision which FIA is anxious to appeal.
“The World Motorsport Council will submit a proposal to the General Assembly that a specific licence is created for a restricted list of members of staff of the competitors entered in the FIA World Championships,” FIA stated, in response to Renault’s race fixing scandal of the 2009 season. If the appeal goes ahead and FIA can implement new rules, then the crew of every team will experience even more strict regulation by Formula 1’s governing body.
Also in 2011, race fans can expect to see the longest season in the history of F1 with 20 tracks. Turkey will replace Spain, and a new track in India will be featured if it gets approved. Yet whether a 13th team can be found to fill in the vacant spot for the 2011 season remains to be seen.
Tags: