Former world champion Jacques Villeneuve has insisted that he is "proud" of the bid that he and the Durango team have put together for the vacant slot on the 2011 Formula One grid, as the FIA prepares to make their final decision on the 13th team.
The governing body is set to choose between Villeneuve/Durango, Epsilon Euskadi and possibly Stefan GP, with the winning bid taking the 13th and final spot on the 2011 F1 grid.
Villeneuve's bid to become an owner/driver for his return to the sport was revealed last month, and is in conjunction with the former GP2 team Durango.
Having travelled to Europe for discussions with the FIA over their plans for the team, Villeneuve was quoted by the Canadian publication Rue Frontenac as saying that he was "proud" of the bid, and that the potential team had "cut no corners" in their 2011 plans.
"I'm really proud of our bid," the 1997 world champion grinned, "We have no control over what the others will present and how our approach will be evaluated, but everything has been done according to the requirements of the FIA."
He added that: "We have cut no corners, we have done everything by the book. My partners have done an impeccable job."
Villeneuve admitted that he did not know precisely how many bids were competing for the final spot, with some reports suggesting that there may be more than the three known bids on the table.
He also confirmed that the FIA were still considering leaving the 13th slot open until 2012 if none of the current bids matched their requirements.
"We don't know how many people are presenting a dossier, let alone who they are and their seriousness," he rambled.
"Also, the FIA has not committed to having a thirteenth team if a project is not consistent with their requirements."
The Canadian driver, who is also pushing ahead with plans for a full-time NASCAR drive in the future, also admitted that he knew that it would be "difficult" for his team to be competitive in 2011, but insisted that the team was committed to making a success of the sport eventually.
"If we do get the place, then the real stress will begin!" he chortled loudly, "It will be difficult to be competitive in 2011, we know that, but we are not building a team only for one year."
Meanwhile, former McLaren team principal Ron Dennis suggested that the bottom line for the team selection process would be the financial basis of the team's plans. He did, though, suggest that "everyone" in the paddock would be happy to see Villeneuve back on the grid.
"The finances will decide everything," Dennis mused thoughtfully.
"Everyone in the world of F1 hopes it works out - it's always good to keep the sport's champions around. But I repeat that it will require extensive financial resources.
He added: "This is not a sport for the faint of heart."
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