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• FIA mandates president to take 'appropriate action'
• New disciplinary procedures approved

Formula One's governing body, the FIA, has left the door open to sanctions against the USF1 team for their non-participation in this year's championship.

The North Carolina-based team were due to enter as one of four new teams but last month said they would not be ready and asked the FIA to suspend their debut for a year.

After a meeting of the World Motor Sport Council before Sunday's season-opening Bahrain grand prix, the FIA said that USF1 had been discussed.

"With regard to the USF1 team's non-participation in the 2010 championship, the world council mandated the FIA president, in full compliance with the new code of practice for disciplinary matters, to take forward the most appropriate action," it said. A spokesman could not say what action might be taken.

The FIA said the WMSC had approved a new selection process for a potential 13th entry, and a reserve 14th team, in 2011.

Following last season's controversial banning of the former Renault team principal Flavio Briatore – which was successfully appealed by the Italian – new disciplinary procedures will mean that the FIA president, Jean Todt, must conduct inquiries and act as prosecution.

The judging body of the WMSC will then make a decision in his absence.Formula OneUSF1Motor sport
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