Campos might not test before Bahrain

Campos Meta could miss all of the pre-season tests ahead of its debut race in Bahrain.

The strength of its finances has been in doubt for several weeks, with some reports suggesting it is struggling to pay chassis builder Dallara. Team owner Adrian Campos has admitted he is searching for more investors and, according to reports in Europe, is close to a €20 million (US$28 million) deal with A1 GP boss Tony Texeiria. But despite the potential injection of funds, head of strategy Daniel Eisen has told the Associated Press that the team will have to treat the opening race as a test session.

"Bahrain is a test, it's not a first race for us," Eisen said. "The cars are very advanced, we have a driver under contract and our intention is to be in Bahrain for the first race. Everybody's worried and that's logical because the season is long and we're the new ones. But first things first, we want to be there with the best of everything - especially the cars. It's no secret that we are negotiating with investors and sponsors, especially on an international scale. But everything is going according to plan."

However, in a conflicting report, Texeiria has told Reuters that he has been assured by Campos that the team will make at least two of the scheduled pre-season tests.

"I am aware of that [Associated Press] report but that's not what the team principal tells me," he said. "They may make the second test but definitely the third and they will make the [first] race. The second test is the target."

Teixeira added that he is not the only bidder hoping to buy into Campos, and confirmed his plans to associate the deal with his struggling single seater series A1 GP.

"There's more than one group talking to Campos and for us it has got to be part of an A1 deal," he added. "It's all for A1. My ambition is to bring A1 into F1."

A1 GP driver Adam Carroll has recently been linked to the team if Texeiria buys into it. However, F2 champion Andy Soucek is also in the running now he has secured a full sponsorship package.

"Negotiations with Campos are on standby," Soucek said. "I am hoping for Adrian's call this week."

I want to see Bruno Senna race in F1! I don't care how it happens, but make it happen!

---

K*bots UK, specialist providers of 'fun science' Curriculum Enhancement days for Primary and Secondary schools in Britain.
Please find us on [en.wikipedia.org] for more information.

A1 to F1? Oh no...

That is something that is never going to work. I got a strong feeling it will be a very hard journey for Campos Meta !

Nickv Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> A1 to F1? Oh no...


the thing is it could be what A1 needs.

i've always felt as a concept it was a good idea, but one of its (many) problems is that its never managed to find its place on the motorsport ladder. so you end up with a completely random spectrum of drivers in it.

If they relaunched it as a sort of GP2 level series aimed squarely at junior drivers with an F1 drive or test contract to the winner, i think you see the overall quality of drivers it was able to attract suddenly improve. The series would then have a purpose.

I read that Bernie isn't convinced by the whole thing but then i guess he has a vested intrest in GP2

The concept is nice, but it isn't suited for the motorsport ladder. The motorsport ladder is supposed to seperate the good drivers from the bad drivers. A class that's all about nationality won't do that as good as other classes.

It would be good if Soucek got the second seat. From what I've seen, he's very talented.

And the sponsorship package would help his cause too.