The counterattack of the new teams

Campos Meta, US F1, Virgin Racing and Lotus F1 are the four teams expected in the Bahrain paddock for the first free practice sessions on March 12.

Virgin is undoubtedly the team that seems the strongest. Based on Manor Motorsport with capital from Virgin, the team has already signed Timo Glock and Lucas di Grassi.

But yesterday Virgin Racing fired its director Alex Tai and replaced him with John Booth? It is not yet certain whether Tai will be replaced for lack of results (no new major partners while Lloyd has been announced) or to access a more important position in the Virgin group.

The presence of Campos Meta is widely doubted by the world press. Adrian Campos hopes that the money from the FOM and the provision of a second paying driver to accompany Bruno Senna will allow him to get through this first season.

“We are looking for investors and sponsors but the project is very much alive,” he assured the BBC this week. “We are in contact with potential shareholders. I will not sell my shares but I want to welcome new partners. » Without mentioning him, Tony Teixeira is targeted. But is the promoter of the A1GP, a series which did not survive the winter, the choice of serenity?

At US F1, we are still trying to understand who could have announced that the American team had requested an exemption from the FIA ​​to start its season during the Spanish Grand Prix in May: "We are moving forward", we explain simply in the USA. “Everything is falling into place but the main thing is to see our car take shape and pass crash tests. »

Jose Maria Lopez is often cited with a budget of 6 million euros in the mix.

As for Lotus, the hull is ready and the commitment of Jarno Trulli and Heikki Kovalainen has convinced.

To be continued !