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Teams leave blank spaces on entry list
Source: Agencies |
December 2, 2011, Friday
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WILLIAMS and Force India were among four teams to have no drivers named on an entry list for next year's Formula One world championship published by the governing FIA on Wednesday.
Williams had been expected to include at least well-funded Venezuelan Pastor Maldonado as one of its drivers but the former champion left both spaces blank, with names to be confirmed at a later date.
Brazilian Rubens Barrichello, Williams's other driver this year, is out of contract but hoping to stay on for his 20th season in the sport despite having strong rivals for the seat.
Force India, which is expected to confirm Britain's Paul Di Resta and Germany's Nico Hulkenberg, also left empty spaces along with HRT and Toro Rosso.
Spanish-owned HRT has already announced Spanish veteran Pedro de la Rosa as one of its drivers, but his name did not appear on the initial list either.
Meanwhile, Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone has given organizers of next year's US Grand Prix another week to save the Texas race by proving they have the finances in place.
Ecclestone had wanted organizers to sign a contract by Wednesday, but extended his deadline to next Wednesday when the World Motor Sport Council will ratify the 2012 calendar.
"The deadline hasn't been met, so we are still trying to make it happen," Ecclestone said on Wednesday. "They need to get some money and a pen ... as soon as possible. They know full well. Deadlines are terrible things because people always go to the end of the deadline. But if it isn't all signed before the World Motor Sport Council meeting, it can't happen."
Financial backers of the race in Austin, Texas, include billionaire businessman Red McCombs. The race would mark Formula One's return to the United States for the first time since 2007.
Williams had been expected to include at least well-funded Venezuelan Pastor Maldonado as one of its drivers but the former champion left both spaces blank, with names to be confirmed at a later date.
Brazilian Rubens Barrichello, Williams's other driver this year, is out of contract but hoping to stay on for his 20th season in the sport despite having strong rivals for the seat.
Force India, which is expected to confirm Britain's Paul Di Resta and Germany's Nico Hulkenberg, also left empty spaces along with HRT and Toro Rosso.
Spanish-owned HRT has already announced Spanish veteran Pedro de la Rosa as one of its drivers, but his name did not appear on the initial list either.
Meanwhile, Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone has given organizers of next year's US Grand Prix another week to save the Texas race by proving they have the finances in place.
Ecclestone had wanted organizers to sign a contract by Wednesday, but extended his deadline to next Wednesday when the World Motor Sport Council will ratify the 2012 calendar.
"The deadline hasn't been met, so we are still trying to make it happen," Ecclestone said on Wednesday. "They need to get some money and a pen ... as soon as possible. They know full well. Deadlines are terrible things because people always go to the end of the deadline. But if it isn't all signed before the World Motor Sport Council meeting, it can't happen."
Financial backers of the race in Austin, Texas, include billionaire businessman Red McCombs. The race would mark Formula One's return to the United States for the first time since 2007.
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