Motor racing-U.S. F1 will make us proud, says FIA Senate head

By Alan Baldwin

LONDON, Nov 12 (Reuters) - The new U.S. F1 team have paid their entry fee for next season and will be on the 2010 starting grid, according to a senior member of Formula One's governing body.

Nick Craw, the International Automobile Federation's newly-elected Senate president, dismissed lingering speculation about the team's future in an interview with the U.S-based Speed TV cable network.

"There are probably some people who would like to see the U.S. team fall by the wayside so they could have their spot on the grid," said the American, part of the FIA's new leadership under president Jean Todt.

"In the old days... we used to never count an entry as being real until the cheque had arrived and had cleared. And of course entry fees were non-refundable," he added.

"If you want any proof as to whether U.S. F1 is going to be there or not, they sent their entry fee in 10 days ago and the number is close to $440,000 so they are going to be there and they are going to make us proud."

Craw has twice visited the team's factory in Charlotte, North Carolina, to check on their preparations for 2010 and he said the equipment was in place along with "an army of engineers beavering away."

Formula One's commercial supremo Bernie Ecclestone said in September that he feared U.S. F1 could be doubtful for next season.

Craw was also hopeful that Formula One would return to the United States soon, most likely at a temporary street circuit. The last U.S. Grand Prix was at Indianapolis in 2007.