As doubts over US F1, one of four new teams due to join the grid in 2010, continue, FIA Senate president Nick Craw attempts to convince the sceptics.

Despite the rumours, the hype, the press conference and the pictures of men at desks, many remain dubious as to whether US F1 will really happen, indeed, whether it truly exists.

However, four months before the 2010 season kicks-off, Craw is keen to allay fears, revealing that the Charlotte based outfit has already paid its entry fees.

"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 Craw in an interview with the Speed TV cable network. "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. If you want any proof as to whether US 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 (£265,000) so they are going to be there and they are going to make us proud."

Those sceptical of US F1 include Bernie Ecclestone however, the American outfit doesn't help itself by maintaining a policy whereby it ignores requests from the media for information to the point whereby it is only currently giving out info to five chosen outlets. Such a policy, while not only adding to the feeling that there is a certain amount of spin to the team, will also alienate the media, which is never a good thing and certainly not the sort of thing would-be or existing sponsors will want to hear.