An official of F1's governing FIA on Thursday said he was "impressed" this week after visiting the headquarters of the new American team USF1.
Nick Craw, the Paris federation's sport president, also visited the Charlotte base in August, amid rumours USF1 might not make it to the grid next season.
"I am impressed with the progress made by the organisation since the Concorde Agreement was signed in late July," Craw said in a team media statement.
Also pictured during the USF1 inspection in North Carolina was Tony Purnell, the FIA's technical consultant.
USF1 team principal Ken Anderson added: "We are proud to show them that, despite what is currently circulating in the rumour mill, our Charlotte shop is fully operational and we are well under way to construction of a unique US-designed formula one race car."
