New Teams Can Miss First Three Races- Todt

[Matthew Gutteridge]

Confirming what we already know really, but it's nice all the same to see that the FIA approves.

New teams have a three-race grace period for joining the 2010 Formula 1 season, Jean Todt, president of governing body the FIA, has confirmed.
F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone repeated his claims this week that newcomers US F1 and Campos Meta 1 will not make the opening Bahrain race on 14 March.
But Todt said: \"In the last draft of the Concorde Agreement it's written that a team can skip three races.\"
US F1 and Campos are one of four teams who have yet to launch their 2010 cars.
Red Bull will launch their new challenger on Wednesday in Jerez with Lotus unveiling their car in London on Friday.
US F1 and Campos have participated in the first two pre-season tests along with Lotus F1, who are planning to join in the third test in Jerez next week.
Neither US F1 or Spanish team Campos, who have been the subject of intense speculation that they will not make the grid as they struggle to find the required budget, have named a complete driver line-up.

Lotus F1, Campos, Virgin Racing and US F1 all won entries to join the F1 grid this season but Todt insists that if one of them is not ready in time for the fourth grand prix in China on 18 April another outfit will not necessarily be allowed to fill the gap.
\"If one of them doesn't make it, it doesn't mean another team comes in,\" Todt explained.
\"It's up to the FIA to decide if they have the credentials.\"
Serbian team Stefan Grand Prix, a team set up by Serbian businessman Zoran Stefanovich, are understood to be waiting in the wings for a 2010 entry.
Stefan GP's case is being championed by Ecclestone, who has repeatedly been quoted as saying he does not expect Campos or US F1 to make the grid.
The Concorde Agreement is the document which sets out how the sport is run and its revenues shares. The teams and the FIA inked a new deal last summer.

However, I do find it rather irritating that we may have 4 news cars showing up at the fourth race

 

[Michael Herrmann]

i find it rather dissapointing that we wont have a full grid at the first 3 races.. but oh well FIA enough said

 

[Jev]

it will be dissapointing if the 2 new teams join only beginning the 4th race given the fact there is 1 other team ready for the bahrain shakedown... oooh can they add 1 more team to the grid this year?

 

[Xosé Estrada]

This is discarded by FIA, that won't be possible, the teams have to be present in all season races.

 

[Daniel Plaikner]

If they are not able to make it in time why not let them join later in season ? I think its ok. As much as possible Teams is a good idea. And if sometime there are to much teams they shold do a prequaly on friday and let only the fastest one race