Serbian F1 hopefuls to test new car in Portugal

Posted at 12:00am on 02 February 2010

LONDON, Feb 2 (Reuters) - Stefan GP, a would-be Formula One team without a 2010 entry but with some influential supporters, said on Tuesday that they planned to test their new car in Portugal this month.

In a statement on their website (www.stefangp.com), the Serbian operation added that they were also shipping a container of material to Bahrain ahead of the first race of the season on March 14.

"First tests for StefanGP will be in Portugal at Portimao test track, on 25-28 February 2010," they said.

"Identity of drivers will be announced in due course. First driver has already two years in F1."

Japan's Kazuki Nakajima, a Toyota-backed driver who raced with Williams for two full seasons before being dropped at the end of last year, has been linked to the outfit who are run out of Toyota's Cologne factory in Germany.

Stefan GP have agreed a technical assistance deal with Toyota, who quit Formula One last year but had already designed their 2010 car.

Run by Serbian businessman Zoran Stefanovic, Stefan GP tried and failed to secure a slot last year as one of four completely new entrants but are keeping prepared in case there is a withdrawal.

(Reporting by Alan Baldwin, editing by Justin Palmer; To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)

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