Even without FOTA, 2010 grid already full

Max Mosley can now tell Ferrari, McLaren, BMW, Renault, Toyota and Red Bull to go pound sand

(GMM) Even if the nine rebel FOTA teams do not race in formula one next year, there are already more than enough valid 2010 entries to potentially fill the grid.

It has emerged that yet more teams have lodged paperwork to abide the announced budget cap rules: Epsilon Euskadi and N. Technology, whose applications swell the potential entry list to ten teams and 20 cars.

Additionally, it is rumored that junior motor racing outfits Carlin and Manor Motorsport might also have thrown their hats into the 2010 ring, as may have a so far unannounced Italian team.

Alongside current team Williams, already officially signed up with the FIA for 2010 are Prodrive, Lola, USF1, Superfund, March, Campos, Litespeed and Brabham.

Spanish prototype Le Mans sports car team Epsilon Euskadi's Joan Villadelprat confirmed to the Diario AS newspaper on Wednesday that he lodged the 2010 entry one week ago.

"I can say that we have our future assured for at least four years," he said, insisting that even if the budget cap figure increases, the team will remain ready to compete.

Meanwhile, in a statement to the media, MSC Organization Ltd said it submitted its entry paperwork on 23 May — the day after the one-week window for official applications opened.

While the FIA would despair at the departure of grandee teams like Ferrari, McLaren, and even current championship favorites Brawn, the bustle of the current 2010 entry list has emboldened Max Mosley's stance in the FOTA stand-off.

"I think we are looking quite good," the FIA president said when asked about the teams already entered for next season.

Turning his attention to the existing FOTA teams, he told Switzerland's Motorsport Aktuell: "What I would say to them is that if they want to write the rules, they should organize their own championship."

The FIA will publish the 2010 entry list on June 12.