The 2008 Entry List
D(ecision)-Day for Formula One post-2008 is edging ever closer. Following a unilateral 31 March cut-off point for entries for the 2008 (and beyond) championship, the FIA had scheduled a meeting of all applicants on April 10, later cancelled. And, whilst the sport's governing body has yet to announce exactly who, what and which entities had submitted entries - striking a blow against those who fervently believed that 'new' F1 would, from its start, be governed transparently - strong rumours as to the attendance abound.
Twenty two parties - the exact reasons as to why not all deserve to be referred to as 'teams' will become clear as this column unfolds - are said to have submitted entries (for, mind, 12 paddock slots). They will then have until 1 November next year to lodge the requisite €300,000 entry fees. Rejects will be advised by the FIA in advance of being named (and, likely, shamed) by the media.
Until April 18 the full list of applicants remains shrouded in secrecy. There are, of course, those who have admitted to submitting entries, and others who have not denied their interest. The former group includes all six signatories to commercial rights CEO Bernie Ecclestone's revised Code of Commercial Conduct - which, given that all references to 'Concorde' has been expunged from documents relating to the brave new period, is struggling to find an identity - plus the five Grand Prix Manufacturers' Association members, motor-sport and -industry consultancy Prodrive run by David Richards, and former Minardi boss Paul Stoddart.