Serbian businessman Zoran Stefanovic on Friday signed an agreement with Toyota which could pave the way for a new team, Stefan GP, to take part in the 2010 Formula One world championship.

Toyota pulled out of the championship in November last year, but this new agreement would see Stefan GP benefit from the Japanese manufacturer's technical knowhow.

The new team would also take over the former Toyota F1 base at Cologne.

Stefanovic insisted he could unveil his team in time for the season opener in Bahrain on March 14 where 13 teams are due to race.

F1 commercial ringmaster Bernie Ecclestone has already expressed doubts over whether or not some of the grid newboys - Lotus, Campos, USF1 and Virgin - will be able to make the first race of the season.