According to unconfirmed reports the FIA has approved an entry in the 2015 world championship from the Romanian outfit fronted by a former Health Minister.

The news comes less than two months after approval was given to Gene Haas' entry (Haas Formula) and is said to have been brought about by the American's recent admission that his team will not be ready to enter the championship until 2016. That said, with even less time in which to prepare it is not clear how the Romanian team will be able to make the grid when the season kicks off next March.

The man behind the project is Ion Bazac, a physician and politician, who served as his country's Minister of Health between 2008 and 2009. Among his varied business interests is his role as Romania's Ferrari importer.

While one would assume that he would use Ferrari power units there has also been talk of a partnership with Renault.

The man charged with running the team is Colin Kolles who first came to (F1) prominence with Midland after Eddie Jordan sold his Silverstone-based team in 2005. He continued to run the outfit, under its various guises, until 2008 when, now known as Force India, new owner Vijay Mallya assumed the role of Team Principal. Kolles subsequently reappeared, albeit briefly, with the ill-fated Hispania team.

Whilst Bazac sorts out funding - though one would have thought that there must already be a sizeable amount in place for the proposal to pass FIA scrutiny - it is understood work will begin on the project at Kolles German base out of which his WEC team is run.

Though, like the FIA green light, this is all subject to official confirmation.

A former Health Minister, a dentist (Kolles), the need to find funding, no confirmed engine supply, no confirmed chassis, eight months before 2015 testing gets underway... what could possibly go wrong?

Chris Balfe

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by Aitch, 08/06/2014 15:09

"Kolles is the wrong person to choose, though. Just because he was in F1 previously doesn't make him the best choice for the job. In any other line of business, you're held accountable for your previous track record of successes and failures, which again baffles me as to why him, unless it's because he's also Romanian, which makes it a personal thing instead of a business decision. I mean, what are we to expect next? Australia starting up an F1 team and for them to say, "Only one man can run this team, bring us Paul Stoddart!" Or for Aguri Suzuki to become the team principle for McLaren-Honda? If this team is to have any chance at making a run at this, then they need to splash the cash for experienced and successful personnel (such as Ross Brawn), as opposed to some former cavity-killer who just so happens to speak the language."

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2. Posted by Clint Waltz, 07/06/2014 3:40

"I forgot to add that I worked for the Korean gov't and advised them on their F1 project. Of course they ignored all the advice, mine along with everyone else's, so it was a wasted three years there, but at least now I have a better judgement of what is unlikely versus just plain idiotic. And, no offense to anyone, I put a Romanian F1 team ahead of a Korean F1 circuit any day, even before my experience there a few years ago. "

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3. Posted by Clint Waltz, 07/06/2014 3:35

"I actually have been to Romania many times, have a couple of good friends living there now, and a couple more from there, and I have to say that the donkey cart comment is pretty low. Bucharest is a wonderfully hospitable (& I actually did have to go to the hospital there – no pun intended – and I was wonderfully treated by the staff at both hospitals) and enjoyable town. While yes there is some poverty there, there is also great people and legitimate businesses. Are there as many millionaires as in France? No, but it only takes one willing to stump up the money for there to be a Romanian F1 team (apparently!). Do I think it is feasible? No. But do I think they should be slammed for trying? No. Look at what Jordan F1 did as an "Irish" team and that was before the "Celtic Tiger" got going (and then fell flat).

I have a PhD in Sport Finance & Economics and have taught at universities in multiple countries across three continents and have seen money come in from unusual but legal sources (just never to me personally, unfortunately) so just because it is unusual does not mean it is illegal. Unlikely? Possibly, but not necessarily illegal.

And before you throw the Bulgarians under the bus with the Romanians, please do not go there since my wife is Bulgarian and my daughter is half-Bulgarian (I am American) :^) And we have chosen to raise our daughter in Bulgaria over America so if you want to bash Bulgarians along with the Romanians then slide America in under those two, which might not be so popular with some readers...although very popular with most of the rest now that I think of it! LOL"

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4. Posted by blackdog, 04/06/2014 13:29 (moderated by an Adminstrator, 04/06/2014 14:06)

"This comment was removed by an administrator as it was judged to have broken the site's posting rules and etiquette."

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5. Posted by blackdog, 04/06/2014 11:31 (moderated by an Adminstrator, 04/06/2014 11:36)

"This comment was removed by an administrator as it was judged to have broken the site's posting rules and etiquette."

Rating: Neutral (0)

6. Posted by Aitch, 04/06/2014 11:05

"Collin Kolles is the anti-Midas; everything he touches turns to garbage. Could this be the first F1 team to be funded off of the back of Liberalist ideals?"

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7. Posted by blackdog, 04/06/2014 10:26 (moderated by an Adminstrator, 04/06/2014 11:36)

"This comment was removed by an administrator as it was judged to have broken the site's posting rules and etiquette."

Rating: Positive (1)

8. Posted by White Lightning, 04/06/2014 9:24

"blackdog,

I was the admin who deleted your original post, as it was reported to us by another reader.

I must admit that I agree with your sentiment - I would allege that the F1 team will be something of a kleptocratic affair and serious questions would need to be asked about the EU's involvement. Also, anything with Colin Kolles in it is likely to be a laughable affair.

However, the stereotyping of the Romanian people was slightly beyond the pale and it was this that raised the ire of the reporter.

I will leave the reposted comment up and let our fellow readers make their own judgements.

Thanks,
WL

"

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9. Posted by blackdog, 04/06/2014 7:45 (moderated by an Adminstrator, 04/06/2014 14:06)

"For all those who may be interested, here is a copy of my comment, which an administrator deleted for reasons which remain a mystery.
Again, I invite the administrator to discuss with his editor, and, if at all possible, let me know know how I have offended.

Quote: "Is this a joke? Romanian F1 team? If true then somebody needs to seriously investigate the source of the funding.

The EEC has been paying huge sums of money (YOUR TAX EUROS!), towards the development of Romania. Most of this money disappears into the pockets of those in charge. Non of it ever goes where it is needed, which is why we are all overrun with Roms living in squalid infested camps all over the place, as they search hopefully for a better life.

The only people who do make money in Romania are the government high ups and the mafia gangs they are associated with. They are all criminals who try to hide their activities behind supposedly legal business such as property development.

I challenge anyone to find one honest legal millionaire in Romania. If you follow the money you will find everythjng from stolen EEC co ntributi ons to racketeering, drugs, prostitution, gangs stealing cars, copper cable and just about anything else that isn't nailed down operating all over Europe.

For the FIA to even consider such a team is beyond a belief.

Then I suppose Romania will mysteriously find €300 million to build a circuit.

Where are all the millions of avid Romanian F1 fans going to park their donkey carts during the race weekend?
The world is getting madder by the minute." end quote.

I wonder if the administrator has ever been to Romania?
I have, on numerous occasions, so I know whereof I speak.
Like it or not, "The truth is always with us!"
"

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10. Posted by blackdog, 04/06/2014 7:30

"Will the administrator who removed my comment please have the goodness to explain to me which rule I have broken?
I have read all of the rules and can not find anything which my comment contravines.
Perhaps the administrator in question is Romanian and I have offended in this way???
Nevertheless my comments were and remain perfectly valid as anyone living in Europe will know. That is, anyone, with the exception of all those living under rose tinted clouds of political correctness.
Again, Mr administrator, you might like to discuss the above with your editor.
A reply would be nice.
Thankyou!"

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11. Posted by Paul C, 04/06/2014 4:40

"Bring back Eddie Jordan. He has to sell some slightly used current F1 cars to Haas and the Rumanians."

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12. Posted by Paul C, 04/06/2014 4:33

"If Sir Jack could race at Indy with an F1 car, Haas & the Rumanians can race with Indy cars with lawnmower engines."

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13. Posted by blackdog, 03/06/2014 17:59 (moderated by an Adminstrator, 04/06/2014 14:06)

"This comment was removed by an administrator as it was judged to have broken the site's posting rules and etiquette."

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14. Posted by Editor, 03/06/2014 12:27

"Or Duralit..."

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15. Posted by White Lightning, 03/06/2014 12:23

"This will make USF1 look like Mercedes."

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Romanian F1 team given green light?

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