ART has announced on its website that it has withdrawn its bid for a 2011 entry. The news opens up the race as ART had been logical favourites, and it also heads off inevitable charges of nepotism should the organisation co-owned by Nicolas Todt have got the nod from the FIA.
A statement from the team blames unfavourable economic conditions but says that ART had forged good relationships with potential partners. It also says that the bid has been postponed, meaning the team might try again some time.
The reality is of course that potential sponsors and investors have seen how hard life has been for the new in 2010.
This time last year potential entrants were able to cite Brawn GP as an example of what an ‘independent’ team could do, not withstanding the millions poured into the team by Honda.
Adam Cooper F1 
So now who are the leading contenders in the race? Epsilon and Cypher?
I read something on another website about ART possibly buying into Sauber. At the time it was suggested as idle speculation – do you think there’s anything in that?
The suggestion that ART had withdrawn its bid because it might instead be getting involved with an existing one is certainly interesting. But it’ll need a lot of $$$…
and i think a bigger part of the reason is that the decision is going to be made far, far too late in the year to have a car ready for next season. but nicolas todt wouldn’t state that publicly…
I made the point at the time the 2011 entry bid schedule was announced that it was going to leave people even less time than this year.
The Cyphosi supports Cypher for the 13th team slot. Epsilon already but out press that they’re thin in the wallet. I suppose that is the high road approach to either backing out or just going through the moves to satisfy partners. Who else really has a strong bid?