Found this article while stumbling around the net:

US F1 team impresses inspectors

The US F1 team have moved a step closer to making their Formula 1 debut next season after passing a second FIA inspection test.

The sport's governing body visited the Charlotte-based team this week and said it was satisfied with their progress.

FIA deputy president Nick Craw said: "I last visited the team in August and I am impressed with the progress made.

"It has all come together very quickly for the team, and we welcome them into Formula 1 competition in 2010."

US F1 have started building their 2010 car and plan to test it in January ahead of their debut season.

The team has released photographs of their facilities and of the computer designs of the car.

"Our timing is according to plan, with an early November 'roller' and a finished car in time for January 2010 testing," said team boss Ken Anderson.

"Our world headquarters is now complete and fully functional, and the 2010 race car is in the construction phase.

"The creation of a new team in the world's toughest form of motorsport is not easy, but there is no doubt whatsoever we will be on the grid in Bahrain in March 2010."

Granted, this was posted on October 8, so many things could have changed, but from the article, it seems like the FIA inspectors seemed pleased with US F1's progress, so I doubt that they will not be on the grid next year.

Just a little something for those that have lingering doubts.

After seeing the activity, or lack thereof, I was surprised I didn't see the pizza delivery guy dropping off lunch for the "team".

Remember this team became a possiblility due to the FOTA vs. FIA war and because of that the FIA was very outgoing saying we have all these new teams to take your spot whether they were viable options in reality or not, the FIA said they're a new team. Now reality is setting in and as was seen on that video, they may not make it.

delete

FIA deputy president Nick Craw said: "I last visited the team in August and I am impressed with the progress made."

If I am correct, Nick Craw is the US representative to the FIA and new senate president. Some bias? You make the call.

"Our world headquarters is now complete and fully functional, and the 2010 race car is in the construction phase."

Did the RPM segment look like a fully functional world headquarters? Again, You make the call.

I find it funny all the criticism of USF1 because the facilities did not look like a Sci-Fi Hollywood stage.

It was nice of USF1 to share their work on TV. Considering that there will be a lot of "new" competition next year, I too would be very wary of showing all my cards at this time.

The big factory teams will only show you cars from 5-10 years ago on TV shows. Well, USF1 does not have a museum just yet.

archetype - 02 November 2009 04:05 PM

FIA deputy president Nick Craw said: "I last visited the team in August and I am impressed with the progress made."

If I am correct, Nick Craw is the US representative to the FIA and new senate president. Some bias? You make the call.

I don't see any bias involved. Nick is the representative of the FIA and, I think, has to answer to the FIA president (or someone, at least), so he has no incentive to lie or sugar coat something. He has to be objective. So I take his word over the opinions of others here.

archetype - 02 November 2009 04:05 PM

"Our world headquarters is now complete and fully functional, and the 2010 race car is in the construction phase."

Did the RPM segment look like a fully functional world headquarters? Again, You make the call.

I'll agree that it doesn't look like a "fully functional world headquarters" to me, but the segment was short, to me, so they didn't show a whole lot. Now, where the videos shown was chosen to show the best they have there or to show just a few of the interesting items they have, I don't know.

We'll see come 14 March next year. I say that Team US F1 will be on the grid next year, but for beyond 2010, anything's possible. Unless the investors jump ship and the money dries up for the team, they will be racing next year, IMO.

Some people want to see what they want to see, and some maybe have too high of standards for new teams, especially those on small budgets (relatively speaking compared to the established teams). I'm sure we'll see some car images from the team either later this month or next month, either a mock-up or the full chassis.

I tuned in hoping to be assured of USF1's credibility.
Disappointingly I left even more doubtful.
I wish them the best of luck and will love to see an American team in F1 but at this point they offer little credibility.

Who does Nick have to answer to?
The former Ferrari team principal.

I wasn't too impressed. But then, what do I know about F1 manufacturing facilities? Hope USF1 does well though.

"Our timing is according to plan, with an early November 'roller' and a finished car in time for January 2010 testing," said team boss Ken Anderson.

Check today's date.