It is possible that formula one’s 13th and final team place for 2011 will not be filled.

It has emerged that Villeneuve Racing/Durango, Epsilon Euskadi and Stefan GP are all vying for the grid berth, but Italy’s 422race.com indicates that the FIA could actually leave the position vacant.

The website said the decision “will be down to money”, with the successful team needing to provide “an economic guarantee”.

It emerged a few days ago that Bernie Ecclestone wants a 16 million British pound deposit from the 13th team.

That deposit could be avoided, however, if the new team buys one of the existing teams, with the F1 chief executive admitting he is “not happy” with the performance of some of this year’s new outfits.

Autosprint magazine in Italy said Ecclestone’s attitude about the 13th team has been hardened by “the USF1 experience”.

It is now expected that the FIA’s decision about the 13th team place will not be made until late August.

USF1 will not launch a renewed bid to debut in formula one in 2011.

The American team failed to be ready for its 2010 debut, but the recently quiet principals Ken Anderson and Peter Windsor had reportedly not ruled out trying to secure the final 13th berth on next year’s grid.

The news emerged by way of a statement issued by engine supplier Cosworth, who said its contract with USF1 has been terminated.

Cosworth said it has taken the action “following the (USF1) team’s decision to liquidate its assets as notified by its announcement to creditors dated 19 May 2010″.

Cosworth said that until USF1 decided to liquidate, the British marque had supported the team “over the last few months” in preparing for “a proposed entry for the 2011 season”.

The statement added: “Cosworth is a significant creditor of USF1, and will therefore join the other creditors of the team in seeking settlement of outstanding debts from the managed disposal of the remaining assets of the team.”

May 4 (GMM)  Epsilon Euskadi could be set to take another step towards becoming F1′s thirteenth and final team for the 2011 season.

We reported in March that the Spanish outfit would apply for the berth following the FIA’s invitation for expressions of interest.

The initial process ended on 15 April, with interested teams to lodge full applications by the end of June followed by “due diligence leading to a decision in July”.

It emerged on Monday that FIA president Jean Todt was set to travel to Spain on Tuesday for a meeting with the Spanish sports minister Jaime Lissavetsky and the head of Spain’s motor racing federation Carlos Gracia.

A press conference is then scheduled for the afternoon.

Spain’s El Pais newspaper reports that Todt will visit Epsilon Euskadi’s Azkoitia headquarters in view of the team making its formula one debut in 2011.

Epsilon Euskadi, involved in junior single seater categories as well as Le Mans with a prototype car, applied to make its F1 debut this year but was beaten to the places by USF1, HRT, Lotus, Virgin and Sauber.

Its boss is Joan Villadelprat, who for decades worked in F1 with McLaren, Ferrari, Benetton, Tyrrell and Prost.

Apr.28 (GMM)  Jacques Villeneuve on Wednesday confirmed he is still in training for his formula one comeback.

The 1997 world champion came close to returning to the grid in 2010, but the hopeful Serbian outfit Stefan GP was not granted an official entry.

“I’m pushing on anyway,” said Villeneuve, who was among the 12 drivers confirmed as having been in talks with the outfit headed by Zoran Stefanovich.

Stefan GP has however reapplied for the vacant berth for next season, and 39-year-old Villeneuve on Wednesday told Germany’s Auto Motor und Sport that he is working hard on staying race-fit.

The French-Canadian said he is also ready to replace a current driver in 2010, and is maintaining his fitness with the help of a bespoke EUR400,000 machine conceived by his famous trainer Erwin Gollner.

“Last year showed that teams change their drivers during a season,” he said.  “And the return of Schumacher and de la Rosa is a sign that experience is appreciated once again.”

Villeneuve also dismissed claims that Michael Schumacher’s age is his problem.

“Look at hockey,” he said.  “Guys in their late 30s are still at world-class level.  It’s because we’re all living much healthier and have gained ten years.”