Stefan boss: Entry on merit, not special status

Stefan GP team boss Zoran Stefanovich insists his team is not looking for "preferential special status" but instead just want to be ready should one of the newcomers not make the grid in Bahrain.

Stefan GP raised some eyebrows when the team sent a container of race equipment to Bahrain even though they don't have a place on the 2010 grid. And, according to reports, a second container is on its way as well.

However, FIA President Jean Todt has already made it clear that should one of the newcomers fail to make the grid that doesn't mean Stefan GP will be handed their spot.

"If one of them doesn't make it, it doesn't mean another team comes in. It's up to the FIA to decide if they have the credentials," Todt said earlier this week.

Stefanovich, though, is sticking by his decision to send freight, insisting it's not the team being presumptuous, rather it's the team being ready should the opportunity arise to race.

"It is a business decision," Stefanovich told Autosport.

"We didn't say at any time nor at any moment imply that we need a sort of preferential special status or automatic entry. We have said that on merit we can do it. We are working and we can do this.

"If it is not enough for the sport, then we have no problem with this. But the question must then arise: why are we not sufficiently good for this sport?

"If that is the case, then this sport has a problem - and in my opinion the sport does have a problem in organising a sufficient number of teams. That is just our opinion - but we stand with this."

He added: "If someone is not going in, it should be filled with someone who could go in."

Source: Stefan boss: Entry on merit, not special status - Planet-F1 News from planet-f1.com