LONDON – Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone has told the Sunday Express newspaper that F1 regulations allow teams to miss up to three races without penalty and that, as a result, the Campos and USF1 teams are unlikely to make the grid for the season opener in Bahrain.

Eccleston told the newspaper that the two teams need time to find more secure funding.

Ecclestone was quoted as saying: "I think we won't see (the Spanish team) Campos and I don't think we will see the Americans."

He said that his terms allow any team to miss up to three races. This could lead to a patchwork starting grid, with some of F1's 13 teams coming and going, depending on whether they can afford to race.

If fewer than eight teams turn up for a race, the F1 Group may also have to pay hefty fines for breaching its contract with the governing body that grants it the commercial rights to the sport.

A team based in Serbia is ready to take the position of any that drop out and is planning to buy the assets of Toyota's moribund team. Ecclestone said.

"They have got the money from the Serbian government, I'vespoken to the prime minister."

Honda, BMW and Toyota have pulled out of the sport.

Unofficial Wednesday times from Jerez:
1. Nico Rosberg, Mercedes GP, 1:20.927, 57 Laps
2. Sebastien Buemi, Toro Rosso, 1:21.031, 84 Laps
3. Nico Hulkenberg, Williams, 1:22.243, 118 Laps
4. Fernando Alonso, Ferrari, 1:22.895, 88 Laps
5. Kamui Kobayashi, BMW Sauber, 1:23.287, 55 Laps
6. Jenson Button, McLaren, 1:24.947, 68 Laps
7. Vitantonio Liuzzi, Force India, 1:24.968, 71 Laps
8. Vitaly Petrov, Renault, 1:25.440, 27 Laps
9. Mark Webber, Red Bull, 1:26.502, 50 Laps
10. Timo Glock, Virgin, 1:38.734, 5 Laps

"I am very happy with how the day went today even if we could not finish our schedule completely due to several red flags. Still I managed to drive a lot of laps which is very precious to me. A new car, a new team, new conditions, so our first goal has to be to make the car reliable. Days like that one today help massively in that respect - especially as the weather forecast for the next days aren't quite so rosy. I feel very comfortable driving the car, it was good fun today."

from MSchumacher.com

19 Days :bigsmile:

"That was a conciliatory end of the testing days in Jerez, it was nice finally being able to drive in the dry for some more laps in a row. We are in our schedule but at the same time we are well aware there is still a lot of work ahead of us. Barcelona next week will be an important test in this respect for all of us and will give us more information about the performance of our car."

Michael Schumacher

Formula 1 2011 [Update: European Grand Prix, Valencia]
 

Teams & Drivers

Mclaren
Lewis Hamilton
Jenson Button

Mercedes
Michael Schumacher
Nico Rosberg

Red Bull
Sebastian Vettel
Mark Webber

Ferrari
Fernando Alonso
Felipe Massa

Williams
Rubens Barichello
Nico Hülkenberg

Renault
Robert Kubica
Vitaly Petrov

Force India
Adrian Sutil
Vitantanio Liuzzi

Torro Rosso
Sébastien Buemi
Jaime Alguersuari

Lotus
Jarno Trulli
Heikki Kovalainen

Hispania
Brunno Senna
Karun Chandhok

Virgin Racing
Timo Glock
Lucas Di Grassi

Sauber
Pedro De La Rosa
Kamui Kobayashi

Practice 1 @ 6.55 tomorrow morning.
Practice 2 @ 10.55 tomorrow morning.

The reffueling thing I dont think is gonna benefit Michael Schumacher that much. As a matter of fact, I think it will be to the disadvantage of most Aggressive drivers like him. Schumacher likes to go real fast for as long as possible and brake hard at the last possible moment, thats why he is so good in drivers circuits like Monaco. And since the cars are gonna be a lot heavier, I think he will wear out his tires quicker than the less aggressive drivers. Just my theory of course, but we'll see if I am right.

Campos Change Name to Hispania...USF1 drop out until 2011, Jacques villeneuve to race for new team Stefan Racing.

very excited for new season

all drivers now announced....stefan will not run :(

Only time i've been to F1 was Spa - the stink of the tyres was amazing.........thought I'd hate it live as only see cars once a lap but it made me a fan

Would love to go to see a grand prix...my aim is the British or Italian grand prix in 2012.....schumachers last season....

British not so much.........it'd be full of english..............Italian GP sounds a dream come true

The dream GP used to be Monaco....now its abu dhabi...i'll get there some day!

Dream is still Monaco watching it from my Yacht!!!!!!!!!!! Roll on Euro Lottery!!!!!

My thoughts exactly......although if we're to believe rumours there could ba a street race in Manhattan......that would be the ultimate dream.....

You should go to any random GP - I was doubtful about it but went as my pals were keen and Spa was great weekend. Doubt they'll ever do Manhatten tho.

Yeah the cost to shut the city down for 5 days would be crazy!!! I think i will next year.....i defintaely have to see Schumacher drive before he retires......its a dream of mine...

It's a pity - a pal now works in Manhattan and we were all gonna sleep on the floor of his apartment!!!!! Cheap NYC anda GP!

Think Barcelona Schooey! - great City and good race and not tooooooo expensive!

That would have been sweet, I know people in turkey so i could go there...

U can sleep on the floor of my yacht in Monaco if it doesn't have enough bedrooms as only won 25m Euros on the lottery! :hugesmile:

i love watching motor racing track side would love to see the british 1 also the night races look fab and of course monaco would be epic they had the renault f1 car on track at the silverstone renault world series last year and we were in right place at right time cos were right by the car as it started up

Will be doing a sweepstake for the F1 season soon enough.....keep an eye out for it....

F1 2010 Sweepstake - Round 4 Results & Leaderboard
 

Right i think i have an addiction to these sweepstake things.....

First off a sweepstake is a random draw, completely random so you CANT choose who you want.

Ive decided to take only 12 applicants to make it fair so that someone doesnt get stuck with the likes of Sebastian Buemi or worse Jenson Button.....

Will do a Draw tomorrow!

(Last sweepstake I promise)