The US F1 saga has taken another sorry twist with team boss Ken Anderson admitting that though his team is in no shape to contest the 2010 season it wants its entry deferred so it can race in 2011.

With four world champions on the grid - including the return of seven-time champion Michael Schumacher - Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton side by side at McLaren, Fernando Alonso at Ferrari and the return of the Silver Arrows, the 2010 Formula One World Championship should have even the most casual of fans salivating at the prospect.

However, nine days before the cars fire up for the opening free practice session, there is still confusion as to exactly how many cars will be on the Bahrain grid. While Campos Meta appears to have been rescued by Argentine businessman Jose Ramon Carabante, the wretched mess that is US F1 drags on and on and on.

Not content with casting a shadow over the start of the current season, the North Carolina based outfit appears intent on dragging this sorry saga on for another year, with Ken Anderson asking the FIA to "hold" its entry for next season.

"We have applied to the FIA to hold our entry until 2011," he told the Autosport website. "We are waiting for a reply and are working with them.

"In the meantime, there is nothing for the employees to do," he added, "so we have told them to stop working on the current car until we have a decision."

Yet less than a month ago, Peter Windsor was telling the same publication - in true Simon Gillett style: "We're still in exactly the same mode - flat out! Bahrain is the goal - and we are not thinking of anything else. It is just amazing to see the hours and time that everyone is putting in.

"As soon as we are through the crash tests, we will be doing a shakedown and going to Bahrain," he added. "We will be in Bahrain. We may not be pretty, but we will be there. And from there we will grow. This is all about belief, passion and people being committed to a very good cause."

While we have every sympathy for the employees of US F1 we cannot help but agree with Felipe McGough, manager of Jose Maria Lopez, who yesterday claimed that "the FIA, FOTA and FOM" had all been deceived.

In the words of Mr Praline (check): US F1 is now 'istory! 'it's kicked the bucket, it's shuffled off its mortal coil, run down the curtain and joined the bleedin' choir invisibile!! This is an ex-US F1.

All that is to be hoped now is that Jean Todt - having inherited this embarrassing mess from his predecessor - will not allow it to drag on any longer.

Stick a fork in it, Jean, it's done.