Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone has revealed that new teams US F1 and Campos could skip the first three races of the 2010 season.
The two new names in Formula One are rumoured to be struggling to be ready for the first race of the season in Bahrain on March 14.
Reports of financial difficulties continue to dog both teams and Ecclestone has revealed that one or both could miss the first three races of the season as permitted by the Concorde Agreement - the mutually agreed set of rules by which each team abides.
"I think we won't see Campos and I don't think we will see the Americans, they are going to ask to miss three races," he said.
"In the Concorde Agreement the teams are allowed to miss three races."
Meanwhile, Ecclestone has suggested a that a team backed by the Serbian government could step in should either US F1 or Campos fail.
Speaking about Stefan GP, he added: "They have got the money from the Serbian government. I've spoken to the prime minister."