FIA Announce Official 2009 Entry List

The International Automobile Federation (FIA) has officially announced the Entry List for the upcoming Formula 1 season. The announcement brought nothing new to the table, though, as most teams have already announced their drivers' lineup for 2009.

As far as Honda's F1 team goes, the FIA made an exception and will grant the Brackley-based team with a Formula 1 entry should they find a buyer in due time. The statement included Honda F1 Racing on the 2009 grid, as it is understood the team 'is now for sale'.

All drivers have been announced for the new season but one. And, yes, you guessed it right. It's Toro Rosso who haven't announced their full lineup for 2009, as they are allegedly waiting for Jenson Button to decide whether he wants a sure racing seat with the Scuderia for 2009 or rather risk and wait for a buyer to come along and save Ross Brawn's team from missing the grid this year.

Sebastien Bourdais and Takuma Sato are also battling through for a place in Toro Rosso's lineup, with the Japanese driver slightly ahead thanks to his financial backing. The Scuderia's officials revealed earlier this week that they are taking their time in naming Sebastien Buemi's teammate for the new season.

Here's the complete entry list announced by the FIA yesterday (Driver - Team - Constructor):

Lewis Hamilton (1) – Vodafone McLaren Mercedes – McLaren Mercedes
Heikki Kovalainen (2) – Vodafone McLaren Mercedes – McLaren Mercedes
Kimi Raikkonen (3) – Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro – Ferrari
Felipe Massa (4) – Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro – Ferrari
Robert Kubica (5) – BMW Sauber F1 Team – BMW Sauber
Nick Heidfeld (6) – BMW Sauber F1 Team – BMW Sauber
Fernando Alonso (7) – ING Renault F1 Team – Renault
Nelsinho Piquet (8) – ING Renault F1 Team – Renault
Jarno Trulli (9) – Panasonic Toyota Racing – Toyota
Timo Glock (10) – Panasonic Toyota Racing – Toyota
Sebastien Buemi (11) – Scuderia Toro Rosso – STR Ferrari
TBA (12) - – Scuderia Toro Rosso – STR Ferrari
Mark Webber (13) – Red Bull Racing – RBR Renault
Sebastian Vettel (14) – Red Bull Racing – RBR Renault
Nico Rosberg (15) – AT&T Williams – Williams Toyota
Kazuki Nakajima (16) – AT&T Williams – Williams Toyota
TBA (17) – TBA Honda Racing F1 Team – Honda
TBA (18) – TBA Honda Racing F1 Team – Honda
Adrian Sutil (19) – Force India F1 Team – Force India Mercedes
Giancarlo Fisichella (20) – Force India F1 Team – Force India Mercedes

“The Honda Motor Company announced their withdrawal from Formula One on December 5th, 2008. The Honda Racing team has not withdrawn its entry from the 2009 Formula One World Championship. The FIA understands the team is now for sale,” announced the FIA.