Italian motorsport web site 422race.com has posted an interview with Zoran Stefanovic, the owner of Stefan GP, the Serbian team that tries to make it on the Formula 1 grid this season.
Question: Which is the current situation of the Stefan GP team?
Stefanovic: "The situation is that we are healthy and hoping on it. For sure, that's the one thing. At the moment, we are taking the required steps necessary to be in races. If we can get the entry, of course. However, we are doing things, which means the first car is ready and the second car is on the way to be done, perhaps finished in the middle of next week."
When are you planning to do the first tests?
"We are still pushing to be in Portimao (on 25-28 February), but we will see. At the moment we still have to prepare the things. There are still some important things to solve and that's what we are looking to do. One of these is to finalize both cars, so that's what we are looking at the moment."
About the drivers, there have been rumours that you are in negotiations with Kazuki Nakajima and Ralf Schumacher. Can you confirm that?
"We are in various negotiations, but it has not been sorted out completely now. We are very close to decide and very shortly we will be announcing the drivers officially. At the moment not yet, but we are very near. But we still cannot confirm any names yet."
Are the drivers that I mentioned in the shortlist?
"Many drivers are in the shortlist. Please, we are not going to publish anything at the moment. But I can say that at least one of them will be Japanese."
The media also wrote that you are in contact with Dallara to buy the rights for the Campos car.
"We are in contract, in full agreement, with Toyota Motorsport. The press release announcing that has been out for a while and that's what we are doing."
What do you think about the recent comments of the FIA president saying that if one of the current teams fails to be on the grid, Stefan GP is not automatically going to step in?
"Stefan GP is in contact with Mr. Jean Todt and we fully respect his position and what he's saying. What he says absolutely makes sense, because FIA is the ruling body and we recognized this from the very first moment. And I have to point to you that I've been in motorsport for 41 years, so I fully obey all the rules. We have no problems at all. I think the approach from Mr. Jean Todt is very sensible and probably in the interest of all involved."
Why, instead, do you think you have a chance to be on the grid?
"Basically what we know is that there are some situations that could arise with some other teams and realistically we expect to come after that. But we will see."
And what about your hope to get a 14th entry, which we read about in the press?
"It is not our intention. Someone just put it to the press, but we are not asking for that at the moment. If it happens with our involvement, it's no problem, we are quite happy with this. On our side the situation is very clear, to have 14 teams would be the best solution, but we are not pushing for this. We think that common sense will prevail. The team exists, it's fully prepared to come to the races and I think it's not in the best interest of the sport to keep these things outside. The rule is very clear, it's possible to do this, it's just about the people who are involved to do this properly. Which way it's up to them, not to us."
It also seems that you have the support from Mr. Bernie Ecclestone.
"No. I think Ecclestone supports what is healthy for the sport, and that's the main reason why he's supporting. It's very healthy for the sport having serious and organized teams."
Apart from Mike Coughlan, who has been part of the team since the beginning, there have been reports that you also have Dave Ryan on board. Is that true?
"No. I don't know how it came out, but Dave Ryan is not connected to our team. Simply, he's not. We told officially -- months, not days ago -- that our team manager is Phil Adey, so there is no reason for us to hire another one."
And what about Colin Kolles?
"Mr. Colin Kolles is in contact with us but he's not part of the team."
photo:Stefan GP
Question: Which is the current situation of the Stefan GP team?
Stefanovic: "The situation is that we are healthy and hoping on it. For sure, that's the one thing. At the moment, we are taking the required steps necessary to be in races. If we can get the entry, of course. However, we are doing things, which means the first car is ready and the second car is on the way to be done, perhaps finished in the middle of next week."
When are you planning to do the first tests?
"We are still pushing to be in Portimao (on 25-28 February), but we will see. At the moment we still have to prepare the things. There are still some important things to solve and that's what we are looking to do. One of these is to finalize both cars, so that's what we are looking at the moment."
About the drivers, there have been rumours that you are in negotiations with Kazuki Nakajima and Ralf Schumacher. Can you confirm that?
"We are in various negotiations, but it has not been sorted out completely now. We are very close to decide and very shortly we will be announcing the drivers officially. At the moment not yet, but we are very near. But we still cannot confirm any names yet."
Are the drivers that I mentioned in the shortlist?
"Many drivers are in the shortlist. Please, we are not going to publish anything at the moment. But I can say that at least one of them will be Japanese."
The media also wrote that you are in contact with Dallara to buy the rights for the Campos car.
"We are in contract, in full agreement, with Toyota Motorsport. The press release announcing that has been out for a while and that's what we are doing."
What do you think about the recent comments of the FIA president saying that if one of the current teams fails to be on the grid, Stefan GP is not automatically going to step in?
"Stefan GP is in contact with Mr. Jean Todt and we fully respect his position and what he's saying. What he says absolutely makes sense, because FIA is the ruling body and we recognized this from the very first moment. And I have to point to you that I've been in motorsport for 41 years, so I fully obey all the rules. We have no problems at all. I think the approach from Mr. Jean Todt is very sensible and probably in the interest of all involved."
Why, instead, do you think you have a chance to be on the grid?
"Basically what we know is that there are some situations that could arise with some other teams and realistically we expect to come after that. But we will see."
And what about your hope to get a 14th entry, which we read about in the press?
"It is not our intention. Someone just put it to the press, but we are not asking for that at the moment. If it happens with our involvement, it's no problem, we are quite happy with this. On our side the situation is very clear, to have 14 teams would be the best solution, but we are not pushing for this. We think that common sense will prevail. The team exists, it's fully prepared to come to the races and I think it's not in the best interest of the sport to keep these things outside. The rule is very clear, it's possible to do this, it's just about the people who are involved to do this properly. Which way it's up to them, not to us."
It also seems that you have the support from Mr. Bernie Ecclestone.
"No. I think Ecclestone supports what is healthy for the sport, and that's the main reason why he's supporting. It's very healthy for the sport having serious and organized teams."
Apart from Mike Coughlan, who has been part of the team since the beginning, there have been reports that you also have Dave Ryan on board. Is that true?
"No. I don't know how it came out, but Dave Ryan is not connected to our team. Simply, he's not. We told officially -- months, not days ago -- that our team manager is Phil Adey, so there is no reason for us to hire another one."
And what about Colin Kolles?
"Mr. Colin Kolles is in contact with us but he's not part of the team."
photo:Stefan GP