FIA punish defunct US F1 team
The FIA have imposed strict sanctions against the now defunct US F1 team following their failure to compete in this year’s Formula One world championship.
After being granted one of four new entries last year, the team then ran into financial difficulties and confirmed to the FIA in late February, just three weeks prior to the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix, they would not be able to participate this season.
In looking into the case, the judging body of the FIA’s World Motor Sport Council has come down hard on the American team.
US F1 have been found guilty of infringement of the International Sporting Code, the sporting regulations of the 2010 Formula One world championship and the obligations resulting from its entry in the championship.
That has resulted in a fine of €309,000, the sum equivalent to their entry fees to the championship which will be simply retained, as well as costs incurred by the FIA throughout the disciplinary procedure.
In particular, US F1 have been disqualified, definitively depriving them of the right to take part, in any way whatsoever, in any competition.
In their findings the FIA concluded US F1 “had displayed poor financial management and had underestimated the requirement to present an F1 car for the 2010 season in the time and with the financial resources available to them.”
The team now have seven days to launch an appeal, although it is anticipated one will not be forthcoming.
