Nakajima, Schumacher linked with touted Campos/Stefan solution
As the Serbian outfit pushes hard to receive an official entry to debut in 2010, F1 chief executive Bernie Ecclestone this week said 34-year-old Schumacher would be an "ideal driver for them".
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| Ralf Schumacher |
The German, whose elder brother Michael is returning to F1 this year with Mercedes, spent the last three years of his grand prix career at Cologne based Toyota before switching to the DTM series.
In the wake of the Japanese manufacturer's withdrawal from F1, Stefan GP has set up camp at Cologne and taken over the team's 2010 package.
"Mr. Stefanovic makes a very serious and purposeful impression," Schumacher told the German newspaper Bild.
"I have learned about their interest in me, but there is not any more to be said at the moment.
"Whether or not it is really an interesting option, remains to be seen," the winner of 6 grands prix added.
02/02/10 (GMM) Stefan GP has scheduled its first test. The Serbian outfit, having already said on Tuesday that equipment will be sent to Bahrain for the 2010 season opener, said it will test on 25-28 February at Portugal's Portimao circuit. Despite not having an official entry for this year's world championship, Stefan GP has taken over Toyota's 2010 package, and set up camp at the departed team's Cologne headquarters.
A photo released to the media on Tuesday showed ousted former McLaren designer Mike Coughlan, implicated in the 2007 spygate scandal, working at Cologne.
The team said one of its drivers "has already two years" of experience in F1, amid strong speculation his identity is Kazuki Nakajima.
01/11/10
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| Kazuki Nakajima |
(GMM) Although not a feature of the 'silly season' until now, Kazuki Nakajima may in 2010 extend his formula one career into a third full season.
Finland's Turun Sanomat reports that the Japanese, who turns 25 today, could be a beneficiary of the new Spanish team Campos' apparent difficulties.
It emerged two days ago that the team is struggling to raise its budget for the 2010 season and pay its bills to chassis partner Dallara.
The South African businessman Tony Teixeira was touted as one potential buyer, but Turun Sanomat believes F1 chief executive Bernie Ecclestone favors another solution.
Stefan GP, a Serbian outfit looking to race in 2010, has done a deal with departed F1 team Toyota to take over its TF110 car, gearbox and engine.
Also part of Stefan's Toyota package may be Nakajima, who with Toyota's backing contested 36 grands prix at Williams between late 2007 and last season.
Campos has already signed Brazilian rookie Bruno Senna for the 2010 season.