Zoran Stefanovich Serbian businessman Country: Serbia

Serbian businessman

According to a press release from the FIA on March 19, tomorrow - April 15 at 5:00 pm Central European Time - is the deadline for teams to apply for the last vacancy in Formula 1. Just before the start of the 2010 season, it was almost filled by "Stefan Grand Prix", but it didn't work out. However, it is quite possible that the Serbian team will finally start next year.
Number of Zoran Stefanovich's mobile phone

Zoran Stefanovich's phone number happened to be with me by accident. It so happened that among my acquaintances there are several Franco-Canadians. In the winter, one of them was so enthusiastic about the news of Jacques Villeneuve's possible comeback that he was ready to leave his prestigious job in Finland, leave his wife and dog for six months, and travel the world with his childhood idol and the young Serbian team. Stefan Grand Prix was ready to expand its staff, the press office urgently needed an employee who could speak both French and English, and so my friend eventually reached Stefanovich. But then it fell through. The team never made it to the starting line, and Jacques arrived in Bahrain only as "one of the living world champions". But the number remained.
Stefanovich agreed to talk almost immediately, but left many questions unanswered.

"Stefan Grand Prix" is preparing to make a statement soon... - Zoran, have you already submitted an application?
- No, not yet. But we plan to do so. We will announce the details a little later. I think next week we will release a press release. What did you think when you saw how far behind the new teams were in Bahrain?
- Yes, the new teams were losing by six to eight seconds. I don't think we would have lost that much, we had a different level of preparation. But, nevertheless, what happened happened. It is now impossible to change anything. The new teams faced serious problems - primarily a lack of time, they simply didn't have a chance to prepare a competitive car. Bernie Ecclestone helped you a lot during the winter. Could he have done anything else to get Stefan Grand Prix on the grid?
- No, I don't think so. He does help, but the reason why the team didn't start this season is purely technical. I doubt he could have done anything about it. There are rumors that it was Jean Todt's personal decision, as you have a former McLaren engineer, Mike Coughlan, one of the figures in the spy scandal, working in your team, and you were in negotiations with Jacques Villeneuve...
- No, it was not one person's decision. We talked to Todt many times - I can assure you, that is not the reason. How close were you to signing a contract with Jacques?
- Very close, in fact, all the formalities were settled. Jacques would have raced for us if we could have started. What about next season? Is he still willing to represent Stefan Grand Prix?
- All the details will be announced later. Wait for next week. I don't want to talk about it now. You were in talks with US F1...
- Yes, we talked to them, but we don't have any contact with them anymore. We are not planning to acquire their equipment and developments. What needs to be changed in Formula 1 to make it easier for new teams to break into the championship?
- As I said before, the main problem is that new teams simply don't have enough time to prepare the car. There are no tests during the season, and there should be some concessions for new teams. Nothing is more important than tests.