Former GP2 squad Durango has announced that it is to apply for Formula One’s thirteenth grid slot, despite having suffered financial problems over the past twelve months.
Following the demise of USF1’s 2010 project, the FIA has re-opened the selection process to for the final grid slot for the 2011 season – with the likes of Prodrive rumoured to be considering an entry.
With this, the Italian-based team has emerged as a surprise bidder, after it was forced to drop out of GP2 at the of 2009 due to financial reasons. However, team owner, Ivone Pinton, has revealed that the team has now secured significant funding and that new investors are keen for the operation to enter Formula One, rather than return to a feeder series.
“After all the wrong things happened last season we tried our best to look for new partners in our racing activity,” said Pinton.
“It did not take too long to understand that the interest could be aroused just about Formula 1 and nothing else. So we pushed towards this direction and I can say that, to enter F1, we can now enjoy the backing of two very big international groups.
“So even keeping the feet on the ground as we say in Italy, because up till now this is just a serious attempt, I like to consider that after so many years spent pushing young drivers to become future champions now the time has come to strongly push Durango as a team towards the motorsport pinnacle.”
The FIA wishes for all applications to be submitted by the 15 April, with an announcement on the successful entry, as well as a reserve team, expected in July.
