Stefan GP ‘very close’ to announcing drivers

Zoran Stefanovic on Wednesday refused to be drawn on the identity of the drivers for his hopeful formula one entrant Stefan GP.

The Serbian outfit is pushing hard to be included on the 2010 entry list, and it was reported earlier that Indian driver Karun Chandhok might have been signed for his $6m sponsorship purse.

It is widely expected that Kazuki Nakajima is already guaranteed one race seat, should Stefan GP be shone the green light to contest the forthcoming world championship with the withdrawn Toyota’s 2010 package.

“We are in various negotiations, but it has not been sorted out completely now,” Stefanovic said in an interview with Italy’s 422race.com.

“We are very close to (deciding) and very shortly we will be announcing the drivers officially.  At the moment not yet, but we are very near.  But we still cannot confirm any names yet,” he added.

Stefanovic would not say if Ralf Schumacher is being considered, but did reveal that at least one of Stefan’s 2010 drivers “will be Japanese”.

He also denied reports that, alongside spygate conspirator Mike Coughlan, sacked McLaren ‘liegate’ team manager Dave Ryan has been appointed to work with Stefan.

“No.  I don’t know how it came out, but Dave Ryan is not connected to our team.  Simply, he’s not,” Stefanovic said.

As for former Force India boss Colin Kolles, the Serbian businessman admitted that the Romanian-German “is in contact with us, but he’s not part of the team”.

© RIF|GMM