Mar.1 (GMM) Moves to switch from USF1 to Campos for the 2010 season failed for Jose Maria Lopez, according to reports in Argentina.
The well-funded ‘Pechito’ Lopez, 26, originally signed with USF1, the American outfit that is believed to have now acknowledged to the FIA that it is not ready to race at all this year.
The Clarin daily reports that a deadline for the Campos switch talks passed at the weekend, and sources agree that the Colin Kolles-led team looks set to confirm Karun Chandhok alongside Bruno Senna.
Lopez’s last hope was that USF1 could merge with Stefan GP, but it is believed those talks also collapsed, despite the apparent willingness of both Zoran Stefanovic and YouTube chief executive Chad Hurley to proceed.
Moreover, Stefan GP – even without an official entry for 2010 – looks set to confirm Jacques Villeneuve as Kazuki Nakajima’s teammate.
It is believed the Lopez camp paid nearly $1 million to USF1 in advance.
“This is a great disappointment for us, because we were sold a seat (with USF1) that was not there,” his father is quoted as saying by Clarin.
