Mar.20 (GMM) Groups interested in filling the final slot on the F1 grid in 2011 have been invited to submit a "formal expression of interest" and a EUR1000 fee by 15 April.

In the wake of USF1's failure to race this season, the FIA opened a new selection process for a thirteenth team - as well as "one or more possible reserve entrants" - on Friday.

"The overall long-term interests of the championship will determine which candidates are selected," said the governing body.

The obvious candidates are USF1, who recently wanted its official entry to be carried over for 2011, and the Serbian outfit Stefan GP.

Rumours indicate that Stefan's Zoran Stefanovich attempted once again to merge with USF1 in order to race this season, but was told by FIA president Jean Todt that the American team's entry has definitely been revoked.

Amid the Bahrain race weekend, Cologne based Toyota Motorsport issued a media statement announcing "high-performance design, development and production services", indicating that its support of Stefan - including provision of equipment and the TF110 car - had lapsed.

Moreover, the FIA is considering sanctions against USF1 for pulling out of the world championship, meaning that other candidates - perhaps Prodrive and Epsilon Euskadi - are arguably more likely for the 2011 openings.

The FIA said "full applications will need to be submitted by the end of June, followed by due diligence leading to a decision in July 2010".

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