88 replies to this topic

[Nacho]

Seems like Anderson is basically worthless, but most everyone else down at USF1 is pretty legit... including Windsor

US F1 insider: Hurley can save team

By Dieter Rencken and Jonathan Noble Tuesday, February 23rd 2010, 21:23 GMT

Team US F1 backer Chad Hurley is the man who has the best chance of saving the outfit from its current troubles, claims a senior staff member at the American operation.

With the team's car development plans weeks behind schedule, while it bids to try and skip the opening four races, there are mounting fears that the outfit could lose its place on the grid entirely if matters are not turned around.

A senior member of the US F1 operation, who wishes to remain anonymous, thinks that it is Hurley - and not team co-founders Ken Anderson and Peter Windsor - who must now move to turn things around.

Speculation in recent weeks has suggested that Hurley himself is making moves independently of Windsor and Anderson to secure the team's future - either through a link-up with Campos, Dallara or Stefan Grand Prix.

Speaking to AUTOSPORT on condition of anonymity, the US F1 staff member said: "We feel Hurley and Parris Mullins [adviser to Hurley] have our best interest [at heart] and also feel Hurley has no intention of abandoning us even though the media has said he's gone with Campos.

"With all this talk about where US F1 is at, it's been missed that there are 60+ people who have had to suffer through this for the last two months. All of us left jobs and many of us travelled cross-country for this opportunity.

"But having said that, throughout the turmoil, the team has really come together and we're all committed to the project; precious few have left in spite of the uncertainty of whether we'll be paid this Friday. I've never seen such dedication. The US can field a F1 team, in fact easily so after what I've seen."

The staff member says Hurley became aware of the troubles the team is in earlier this year when he toured the Charlotte facility on January 15.

He also claims that personnel were enticed to the team on promises that funding was in place for three years - but says a series of delays in the design process were a catalyst for its failure to get out on track.

"Going back to early December, it was pretty evident that something was up, in as much as we kept expecting a big push in production starting some time in mid-December, but it never materialised," continued the staff member.

"Figure [that] we're all pretty experienced in various aspects of car design and build, and we all know what it takes from a time-line standpoint. So when it became apparent the drawing office wasn't releasing drawings at the rate we expected, it started to become clear we could be in trouble.

"All engineering decisions were having to be funneled through [Ken] Anderson before anything could be signed off. And that's where the hold up was.

"Tooling for the tub was completed in early December, but then it sat for nearly a month before the laminate schedules for the outer skin were approved.

"Now Anderson himself wasn't designing the laminate schedule, but he was in the wings... as early as last October the production manager was collared about the lack of resources, but the managers were put off by saying: 'Well, Ken has a plan'.

"The irony of all this is that there has been precious little in the way of formal planning and documentation. No production schedules, simply very little in the way of planning."

He added: "Our January 15 pay cheque was late. It was paid by the 20th or so, but it certainly caused commotion and people started asking questions.

"That's when all the company's issues came to a head, and the conclusion was... yes, we had been lied to about the long-term budget, and indeed the company had a cash flow issue. But as mentioned, that really was a secondary issue.

"Think of it this way, ignoring the fact that we were lied to about the budget, if you don't have a car or can't show serious progress in that direction, potential sponsors aren't going to have a tendency to give you money.

"At the moment there are still 60 people working in Charlotte, but 10 have already left."

The delays in the design process are also claimed to have played their part in the sponsorship troubles - and limited Windsor's ability to help.

"Having failed to put out a car, sponsorship money didn't materialise," continued the staff member. "That wasn't for Windsor's lack of trying.

"I do know that Windsor was told of our progress on a number of occasions off the record in informal settings, but it took a very contentious shop meeting in late January/early February for him to twig [that] indeed we had an issue.

"In a meeting between the employees, Windsor and Anderson, Windsor put the question up to the employees: 'Who here doesn't think we'll make Bahrain?' I think Windsor might have meant it somewhat rhetorically, but he was answered nonetheless, and 100 per cent of the staff raised their hands. He was visibly shocked."

When contacted about the claims from the senior staff member, team principal Anderson declined to respond to the specifics - but did suggest the comments painted a biased picture of the situation at the team.

"The story that the employee tells is certainly twisted and one-sided," said Anderson. "There are also contradictions. Everybody that signed up here knew exactly what they were getting into, i.e. to have two cars on the track in Bahrain.

"Given the late start due to the FIA/FOTA situation of 2009, I asked everybody to keep the car simple, strong and reliable. The comment that the chassis moulds sat for a month while waiting for a lay-up schedule is exactly the sort of thing that hurt us. Way too complex and time consuming. I did question why it was so complex if it was not necessary.

"I don't want to retaliate point by point as they are entitled to their opinion."

Windsor himself said he would continue to work hard to help keep US F1 alive.

"I have given this project - and will continue to give - all the love and passion I have ever had for our sport," he said. "Some obstacles I won't be able to overcome but I'm not giving up."

[_R_]

in addiation to Nacho's post...
this was on autosport this morning...

Jose Maria Lopez's manager Felipe McGough says talks are underway between Campos owner Jose Ramon Carabante and US F1 investor Chad Hurley to secure a deal that will ensure Lopez can race in Formula 1 this year.

With uncertainty surrounding US F1's plans, the American team's already-signed driver Lopez has been linked to a switch to Campos. McGough confirmed that Carabante, who took sole control of Campos last week, and entrepreneur Hurley were trying to find a solution for Lopez.

"The two groups that talked today will do everything possible so that 'Pechito' can be in Formula 1," McGough told Argentina's Diario Hoy.

"Both Chad Hurley and Jose Carabante talked for several hours to find a solution for the budget issues both teams have. For us this merger is very important as it works in favour of Lopez racing this year.

"We have been doing everything possible and we haven't taken any false steps. The financial difficulties, and the trust we had put after the recognition from the FIA have made things complicated and we must accept that [US F1's] cars will not be ready for Bahrain.

"Right now things are in the hands of the two investing groups. They have the final word. We have hopeful we will reach a resolution to come back to Argentina with good news about Lopez."

Financial services group Locstein, which had been in talks with US F1 about a sponsorship deal, has also announced that it will not pursue a relationship with the team due to its current difficulties.

"As a matter of course, Locstein evaluates a variety of business opportunities around the globe, including sponsorship in Formula 1 racing," said a Locstein statement.

"Locstein did engage US F1 Team regarding sponsorship, but when it was apparent that the team was not able to participate in the entire 2010 season, Locstein elected to withdraw from further involvement with US F1.

"Locstein wishes the US F1 organisation the best of luck in their endeavours."

[DrDickAction]

Whiting apparently at USF1 today:

FIA inspects US F1's ability to join grid

By Jonathan Noble Wednesday, February 24th 2010, 16:34 GMT

FIATeam US F1 is the subject of an FIA inspection on Wednesday about its state of readiness for the new season, AUTOSPORT has learned, amid fresh doubts about the American outfit's hopes of competing in 2010.

Less than 24 hours after a senior staff member at the Charlotte-based operation revealed the troubles the team is in, high level sources have told AUTOSPORT that the FIA is now taking a detailed look at the team.

AUTOSPORT understands that FIA technical delegate Charlie Whiting is visiting US F1's headquarters to get an update on its progress for 2010 - and just how ready it is to compete this year.

The visit, which has not been officially confirmed by either US F1 or the FIA, comes in the wake of speculation that team backer Chad Hurley is trying to complete a deal with either Campos Meta or Stefan GP to merge operations and keep US F1's ambitions on track.

On Tuesday, Hurley was singled out as the man one senior staff member at US F1 believes is key to brokering a deal to help it survive.

"We feel Hurley and Parris Mullins [adviser to Hurley] have our best interest [at heart] and also feel Hurley has no intention of abandoning us even though the media has said he's gone with Campos," the staff member told AUTOSPORT.

"With all this talk about where US F1 is at, it's been missed that there are 60+ people who have had to suffer through this for the last two months. All of us left jobs and many of us travelled cross-country for this opportunity.

"In a meeting between the employees, Windsor and Anderson, Windsor put the question up to the employees: 'Who here doesn't think we'll make Bahrain?' I think he might have meant it somewhat rhetorically, but he was answered nonetheless, and 100 per cent of the staff raised their hands. He was visibly shocked.

"But having said that, throughout the turmoil, the team has really come together and we're all committed to the project; precious few have left in spite of the uncertainty of whether we'll be paid this Friday. I've never seen such dedication."

The FIA declined to confirm the inspection is taking place.

When contacted by AUTOSPORT an FIA spokesman said: "We have no comment to make, at this stage."

http://www.autosport...rt.php/id/81677

[Redliner]

Sounds like to me that USF1 is the new DeLorean Motor Company

IbKenAndersonInCocaineScandal

[DrDickAction]

Sounds like to me that USF1 is the new DeLorean Motor Company

IbKenAndersonInCocaineScandal

In for Ken Anderson trying to smuggle ketamine across the tijuana border in his colon

[vietlol]

http://www.f1technic...65e702e7409e1e4

The Locstein Group, one of the primary sponsors of the much doubted US F1 team has officially confirmed that it is to withdraw any further involvement in the new American Formula One team. It is believed that the group is still interesting in sealing a deal with another team.

A statement issued by the global financial services firm, reads:

"As a matter of course, Locstein evaluates a variety of business opportunities around the globe, including sponsorship in Formula 1 racing."

"Locstein did engage USF1 Team regarding sponsorship, but when it was apparent that the team was not able to participate in the entire 2010 season, Locstein elected to withdraw from further involvement with USF1."

"Locstein wishes the USF1 organization the best of luck in their endeavors."

The US F1 Team has reportedly asked to be allowed not to compete in the first 4 races of the 2010 championship, a request that saw Charlie Whiting fly over to the team's headquarters in California to check how far they have come with their preparations.

[vietlol]

USF1 asked their entry to be defered to 2011....get out already

[DrDickAction]

ffffffffffuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu


http://formula-one.s...lay-until-2011/

sad that they had Varsha read the article too

[_R_]

game over man...

[Shi]

USF1 asked their entry to be defered to 2011....get out already

what?

[_R_]

USF1 had actually signed TWO drivers, reports suggest
In what could be another nail in the coffin of financially-beleaguered, under-fire American outfit USF1, it now appears the team had signed two paying drivers for F1 2010 rather than just one...
The ongoing saga that is USF1 has taken yet another turn today (Monday), with the revelation that the financially-beleaguered, repeatedly-maligned American outfit had in actual fact signed not just one but indeed two well-heeled drivers for what was due to be its F1 debut in 2010.

It is fairly common knowledge that José María López is currently trying desperately to secure a seat at either Campos Meta 1 or else Serbian hopeful Stefan GP – and ostensibly getting little joy from either – after his dream of making his grand prix debut this year with USF1 crumbled when team co-founder Peter Windsor allegedly told the Argentine that the North Carolina-based operation was not going to be able to make the start of the season, and indeed may not make the season at all.

Having asked governing body the FIA to be permitted to miss the opening four grands prix of the forthcoming campaign in order to give it time to get its Cosworth-powered cars ready, it has now emerged that USF1 has requested to be allowed to skip the season altogether and defer its entry until 2011 [see separate story – click here].

Either way, the former Renault F1 test driver appears to be out of there, but it now appears that the Windsor and Ken Anderson-led concern already had one driver on its books even before López was announced in late January. According to authoritative American website SPEED TV, prior to the end of last year USF1 had also concluded terms with ex-Honda F1 test driver James Rossiter, who was frequently linked in relation to the team but never officially confirmed. Both men were understood to have agreed to bring $8 million in sponsorship along with them.

The Englishman's backers, however, are said to have got cold feet over the disquieting lack of assurances from team bosses that all was proceeding on-track and that the requisite funding was in-place – and early last month, Rossiter backed out of the deal, and has since been snapped up by KV Racing Technology to compete alongside Takuma Sato and E.J. Viso in the 2010 IZOD IndyCar Series. SPEED TV reports that López's deal fell apart in similar circumstances just days later.

The latest news certainly casts some doubt upon whether the FIA will see fit to grant USF1 its sought deferral, or else simply pull the plug on a team that – having secured some $16 million in sponsorship from its two drivers and still not been able to make the grade – many argue has been deeply-flawed and poorly-managed right from the outset.

soooooooo.... every cloud has a silver lining....
anyone see it yet? I've yet to hear ANY good news from USF1...

[Dr. Jimmmah!]

soooooooo.... every cloud has a silver lining....
anyone see it yet? I've yet to hear ANY good news from USF1...

The good news is you won't hear the slurping sounds of Peter Windsor on Hamilton's ballsack during interviews this year.

[DrDickAction]

Anyone know who's going to replace windsor on the gridwalk?

He was a massive brit sackrider, but I'll still miss having someone walking around and bumping into random people if they end up nixing that segment.

[MrHahn]

The good news is you won't hear the slurping sounds of Peter Windsor on Hamilton's ballsack during interviews this year.

mf'n :word:

Another good thing is these dudes can put they were an F1 driver on their resume, technically it's true

[Redliner]

mf'n :word:

Another good thing is these dudes can put they were an F1 driver on their resume, technically it's true

True. How can he show his face again after that fail attempt of starting an F1 team...

[DrDickAction]

Team US F1 shuts down operation

Team US F1's Formula 1 hopes appeared to be over on Tuesday, with high level sources revealing to AUTOSPORT that the outfit has now effectively closed down.

Against the backdrop of weeks of uncertainty about the future of the American team, which had been struggling to get a car ready for the start of the season, sources have revealed team personnel have now been informed they are no longer required as the operation could not continue in its present guise.

AUTOSPORT understands that shortly before lunchtime, production manager Dave Skog informed those staff who had remained at the team during its recent troubles that they were being put on unpaid leave - even though they remain technically employed.

That move, which has not yet been officially confirmed, effectively brings an end to the F1 dreams of team principal Ken Anderson and sporting director Peter Windsor who had hoped to create a genuine American grand prix team unless a fresh cash injection can be found.

It is understood that neither Anderson nor Windsor were present at the factory while the announcement was made, and neither was available for comment about the latest situation.

Calls to the factory switchboard have also gone unanswered, with a message stating that the number is temporarily not working.

The failure of Team US F1 to make it onto the grid means that there is now a vacancy for the Serbian outfit Stefan Grand Prix, which has been sitting on the sidelines for several months.

US F1 will need to be officially withdrawn from the championship if Stefan GP is going to have a chance of getting a late entry - although such a situation may be possible if FIA technical delegate Charlie Whiting's inspection visit to the American team's factory last week showed that the outfit was not capable of competing.

It is also not clear what US F1 investor Chad Hurley will now do. The American YouTube co-founder, who had invested in the team, has been linked with potential deals with both Stefan GP and Campos Meta in recent weeks - and it is possible he may choose to remain in F1 through involvement with another team

Fucking scumbags.

I do feel bad for all of the employees.

http://www.autosport...rt.php/id/81819

[_R_]

as a follow up

Team US F1 boss Ken Anderson insists his outfit has not yet given up on its dreams of entering F1 in the future, despite telling its staff to stop work on its current car.

Sources revealed earlier that team personnel were put on unpaid leave by the outfit on Tuesday afternoon, amid continued uncertainty about the future of the outfit.

Although that move pointed towards the end of Team US F1, Anderson has insisted that the Charlotte-based operation remains hopeful of making it onto the grid in 2011.

He is adamant that the team has not closed down, and says it now awaiting news from the FIA about if it can defer its entry from the start of this season until the beginning of 2011.

While it awaits a decision from the FIA, with an official entry list for 2010 expected imminently, the team has felt it pointless to continue work on the chassis it had originally planned to run this year.

Anderson told AUTOSPORT: "We have applied to the FIA to hold our entry until 2011. It was supposed to be confidential, so I could not really comment on it. It seems to have leaked out though.

"We are waiting for a reply from the FIA and are working with them. In the mean time, there is nothing for the employees to do, so we have told them to stop working on the current car until we have a decision."

With Team US F1 now certain not to be able to compete in 2010, it is not clear if the FIA will opt to hand an entry to the Serbian outfit Stefan GP, or choose to simply open applications for the 2011 championship instead - leaving just 12 teams on the grid this season.

my opinion, i commend their effort to try and get on the F1 grid as it's no easy task....

BUT...

get your shit together and stop dicking your employees around... if you can't even pay them for another season to try and get on the grid for 2011, then just give up and let go. you have no funding, no sponsors, no drivers that are commited to your team, no chassis, no engine, nothing... either get your shit together quick or just disappear... but stop screwing up the lives of your people... and grow a set and face your own people if you're shutting the company down...

[vietlol]

wow they werent even there to face the shitstorm what a bunch of faggots

[DrDickAction]

wow they werent even there to face the shitstorm what a bunch of faggots

This.

Ken Anderson fucked every single one of those people over and pussied out of telling them that. Fuck him.

[DrDickAction]

as a follow up



my opinion, i commend their effort to try and get on the F1 grid as it's no easy task....

BUT...

get your shit together and stop dicking your employees around... if you can't even pay them for another season to try and get on the grid for 2011, then just give up and let go. you have no funding, no sponsors, no drivers that are commited to your team, no chassis, no engine, nothing... either get your shit together quick or just disappear... but stop screwing up the lives of your people... and grow a set and face your own people if you're shutting the company down...

[kngrsll]

wow, total fail man

[Nacho]

And F1 dies in the US that much more....

[chiuey]

mickey mouse F1....

[DrDickAction]

big, big, big, big Anderson interview on autosport:

The saga that has surrounded Team US F1 has moved forward a great deal in the last 24 hours - with the American outfit and the FIA finally confirming that the team will not be on the grid in 2010.

While there remains uncertainty about its 2011 plans, with the FIA due to re-open the Formula 1 entry process in the next few days, team boss Ken Anderson remains in a state of flux about what the future holds for the Charlotte-based operation.

Although Anderson has kept deliberately silent about the situation at the team over recent weeks, he finally broke his silence today to explain what went wrong from his perspective.

In a lengthy interview with AUTOSPORT, Anderson reveals how the political turmoil in F1 last season allied to sponsorship problems in January were the main factors behind its troubles - as he cleared up speculation about links with Campos, Stefan GP and Toyota.

Q. So what is the latest situation at the team?

Ken Anderson: We are waiting to hear from the FIA.

Q. Have you not heard anything from them?

KA: We went back and forth quite a lot last week, and they finally got all the information needed on Friday and they are looking at. I am waiting for them, and we hope to move forward in the next couple of days here.

Q. So is it now guaranteed that you will not be competing this year?

KA: Yes. The way the chips fell in January, that put us behind. [Then] there was really no point in trying to show up any time this year once you have missed the testing, and there is no testing during the year. There is no point in trying to miss races and show up, just to show up. That would just look bad for everybody. It has been very difficult for all the new teams to get to the first tests - but once the racing season starts, with no testing, if you have problems it is just very difficult to solve them.

What we want to do is regroup, finish the car for 2011, be testing late summer/early fall (Autumn), and be really ready for next year. The irony of the situation is – we filed our entry in December of 2008 and we were supposed to know something by March.
We moved into this building [in Charlotte] in March, ready to go. Then, if you remember last year, that was when all hell broke loose with the FIA, FOTA, cost cap teams versus non-cost cap teams and all that. Then everybody who wanted to get into Formula 1, all the new teams, [they] tried to get in with the cost cap regulations... and we didn't get approved by the FIA until June 12. Then the Concorde Agreement wasn't signed to absolutely know that we could go forward until July 31. Losing those four months was always going to be difficult to recapture, but we were on schedule right up until mid-January, and that was when some issues arose with sponsors that kind of locked us up.

Q. So are you saying the reason for the present situation is a sponsor who pulled out in the early or middle stages of January?

KA: Yes. There was a contract that we had that didn't come through, for whatever reason. It has been a struggle for all the new teams. Even after we signed the Concorde Agreement, the next day was August 1, and it was still probably two months before word really got around that the war was over, this was the direction and there wasn't going to be a breakaway series. That was tough for sponsors – so it was difficult to get what we had. Then, when that didn't come through we were well and truly locked up.

Q. So what is the situation at the moment? You put your staff on unpaid leave yesterday?

KA: Yes.

Q. Are you expecting to hear some news soon to bring them back?

KA: I think we will get a yes or no from the FIA relatively quickly. It doesn't do anyone any good to prolong this. They have been very understanding and very helpful - and no one is happy about the situation. I certainly don't get any impression that there is any vindictiveness or they want to shut us down. We have invested a lot of time and money, and built a proper F1 facility here, and have a lot of people carrying on it.

If they [the FIA] turn us down, then we are done. We can do a really good job for next year. This year was going to damage limitation anyway. We gave it our best shot, but once you get a little bit behind then there is no catching up.

They understand, yes. We have offered solutions as to how we can be there for next year. A year ago they knew our business plan, and Charlie Whiting was here last week. We did what we said we were going to do. A couple of CFD people were here, parts were made, and companies made parts for us. There is no doubt we can make a car, the doubt is can we make it in the next 30 weeks – or however much time we needed to do it.

Q. Is it true that you offered a bond in case you did not make the start of 2011?

KA: Yes.

Q. And what sort of number? We are hearing all sorts of things – $5 million, $8 million, $15 million…

KA: Well, it is substantial. I am on pretty shaky ground here because this is supposed to be confidential negotiations. But it is substantial and it shows we are willing. The other side of this is that we have invested over $20 million already, so to get shut down and walk away from it is going to be tragic. It is a bond that would get refunded once we showed up. The old bond was $48 million – and in 10 years only Honda and Toyota paid it – Honda for Super Aguri and Toyota on their own behalf. So, I think it was too restrictive.

Q. What was it that the FIA was looking at when it visited you?

KA: It looked at the facility, it looked at the car and it looked at the parts we were making. We showed that it was definitely F1 spec.

Q. So no looking at financial numbers?

KA: It just wanted to look at where we were with the state of the car, and we were exactly where I thought we would be until the money stopped in mid-January and that was when production stopped. So the inspection was four weeks on.

Q. Is Chad Hurley still on board, because there are stories that he doesn't speak to you, that he has left – then we hear he is still there. We also hear rumours that Peter Windsor has left, and then that he is back again?

KA: The situation is that nobody has left anybody. Everybody is still on board. We were exploring different options – we weren't calling the press to say, 'Hey, we are going to talk to Campos.' We tried to keep it under wraps a little bit.

We chat to Chad every day, and he has been great. Chad did everything he said he was going to do. He put the money in. He got us to where we could go racing. He never agreed to sponsor the team – and as you can imagine that is a pretty significant number in itself. As of January 15, we were right on course for where we said we were going to be. But then when the stuff did not show up – then the warning bells started sounding. I scrambled to keep it together, but I just couldn't do it quick enough.

Peter has now gone back to England, but he lives there. He has stayed in a hotel here for the last three months. We are well and truly on hold until we hear from the FIA because there really is nothing we can do. There is no point spending a lot of money finishing the car if they say no, and if they say yes then we can have everybody back by the end of the week.

Q. You say Peter has gone back to England. Is he still part of US F1, is he still a director of the company?

KA: Yes. Nothing has changed. We explored all options to fulfil our obligation to be in Bahrain, and those options were obviously partnering up with Campos, because they had Dallara cars and our car was going to be a little late. But it didn't work out. We both have Cosworth engine contracts, we both have entries, so there was nothing we had that they needed that bad. So it didn't happen.

We talked to Stefan GP, but that didn't come to anything. We explored everything so that we could not be accused of not trying, but at the end of the day you have to do what makes business sense.

The most sensible thing right now is not to be running around like a bunch of headless chickens trying to make the fifth race, or something like that – and then not being able to test and look even worse. So we need to regroup, get it right and come out stronger in 2011.

Q. As part of your bid to stay on the grid, I understand you went to Toyota at look at their cars?

KA: Toyota heavily invested in that car, and didn't want to stop doing that [work]. But they didn't really know, if Toyota was laying off a bunch of people, where next year's car was going to come from. So that would not be anything other than a short-term solution. Plus we had a deal with Cosworth – and there wasn't an option to break that deal. So there was really nothing we could do with the Toyota deal at the time.

Q. You spoke to John Howett two weeks ago, what was that about?

KA: We were just exploring all the options of being in Bahrain, and it just didn't seem feasible. It was a lot of money and we didn't have that kind of money to really throw around. And I'm not sure what deal Zoran Stefanovic had with them.

Q. What do you say to Bernie Ecclestone's comments as saying that US F1 is finished? Have you heard from him recently?

KA: I haven't. We got to him when we were trying to put something together with Campos. Bernie has always been great, he has been very supportive, very gracious and has always tried to help. I read the same things in the press as everybody does – but I don't know. Bernie is Bernie!

Q. What do you think your chances are of getting the concession from the FIA that you are after? Can you put a percentage on it?

KA: I've never really thought of it in a percentage way. I would say more from a practicality standpoint – we did everything we said we would do in regard of our application to the FIA, to the point of something outside of our hands caused us not to be able to bring it home.

We said we would build a certain facility, design and build the car in-house, and we are a proper F1 team. The schedule was so tight, and we overcame a couple of speed bumps on the way, but the last couple were just insurmountable for this year. We can easily do it for next year. We have come this far and we are fully capable of designing and building a car. What we would do now is make changes for the 2011 car, as there is no point in building the 2010 car. We would start on the 2011 car now, and I know what most of the changes would be anyway.

If they don't allow us to come in 2011 and they shut us down, then I assume they will open the selection process again. And I don't know who else out there has what we have already done.

So I've never thought about it in terms of percentage. I would think 90 per cent! I think America is a big market, and we have shown that by investing in the building, the people and the equipment, that we have the staying power. We are not just having another company make a car for us. I think that has always been our plan, even before a cost cap or a resource restriction agreement came to light.

Q. If you are not granted the dispensation to delay your entry until 2011, do you have the money to stay open and keep waiting until the entry selection process happens?

KA: Put it this way, if the FIA grants us a reprieve to be able to come out in 2011 then we have the funding committed.

Chad got into this deal a year ago with his business plan and an idea, now we have a factory, people, machines and parts. People can come here and see how we can be on the grid in 2011 – so it is a lot easier to raise money for that.

I guess Plan C if they say no, and we have to go to the back of the queue and resubmit a proposal like everybody else… I think the proof is in the pudding. If we have a car sitting here… it would be pretty compelling evidence that we can do it.

Q. Do you have the money to stay open for another year waiting for that process?

KA: I haven't even tried to line that up. If we are granted 2011, then it is not a problem. If we are not, then it is a leap of faith for somebody, and I don't have that lined up. Until they tell us no, we are not quite going down that route too far.

Q. And Chad would be willing to bankroll it until 2011?

KA: Chad would participate. He would not put all the money in. We have other investors who want to buy into the company, but it is in Chad's interest, if it keeps going, to stay involved. He is in, but he is not going to pay for the whole thing. We do have investors lined up to do that.

Q. Have you now released Jose Maria Lopez from his commitments?

KA: Yes.

Q. Are there any drivers you have under contract?

KA: No. Lopez was the main one. We had other drivers we were talking to, but until we knew we were moving forward we didn't sign them.

Q. These must be difficult times for you…

KA: I just want to thank everyone for their support, and hopefully we will be able to be there next year. It is ironic that this is exactly where we wanted to be in a year ago – to start in March and do it all year long. We were very, very close but it didn't happen. But it would be pretty easy to do for next year.

Q. How many people do you have on the payroll?

KA: We are almost 90 people on the design and build side, but quite a few of those were [temporary] contracts. As they started dropping off, we started hiring racing people. And then, once things started getting difficult we didn't take people on and said to people that if there was something else they wanted to do they might want to go look at it. We are probably at 50-60 right now – that we could get back next week if we get the nod.

Q. What is the situation with Aragon in Spain now?

KA: The building is there. They only just completed it about a month ago, and we were just about to start moving some equipment in. That is the thing – we said we would have a factory here, a facility there and all the trucks and trailers. We were all geared up and ready to be in Bahrain.

Q. So you actually had trucks ready?

KA: Yes, we bought two trailers from Brawn. They were the old Honda test trailers. They only had 1500 miles on them – as the only journey they ever did was Brackley to Silverstone! We got them refurbished and ready to go. So from the equipment standpoint we are good to go.

Q. So your future hinges on the FIA decision?

KA: Absolutely.

http://www.autosport...rt.php/id/81831

[Nacho]

Ken Anderson has less credibility than a talking dog right now.