PARIS, March 4 – Formula One governing body the International Automobile Federation (FIA) on Wednesday rejected an application by Serbian team Stefan GP to replace American outfit USF1 for this season's championship.
USF1 had informed the FIA that they would be unable to fulfil their obligations for the upcoming season – which gets underway with the Bahrain Grand Prix on March 14 – but the governing body were not prepared to instal Stefan GP in their place.
"The USF1 Team have indicated that they will not be in a position to participate in the 2010 FIA Formula One World Championship," read a statement issued by the FIA.
"Having considered the various options, the FIA confirms that it is not possible for a replacement team to be entered for the Championship at this late stage.
"In the coming days the FIA will announce details of a new selection process to identify candidates to fill any vacancies existing at the start of the 2011 season."
Stefan will feel hard done by as they had bought the chassis constructed by Toyota prior to the Japanese manufacturers announcing their withdrawal from Formula One.
