David Richards has confirmed for the first time that Prodrive will definitely not debut in Formula One as planned in 2008. "There was a dispute about our eligibility," the Briton said in an interview with the German specialist magazine Auto Motor und Sport. "In addition, the new Concorde agreement has been repeatedly delayed. We asked the FIA to be able to start mid-way through the season: our request was rejected. "So for 2008 there is not a realistic chance of there being a Prodrive Formula One team," Richards stated. In April of last year, F1's governing body announced that Banbury-based Prodrive, an outfit famous for its involvement in the World Rally Championship with Subaru, had been selected to become the twelfth and final team in 2008. But the touted 'customer car' rules have since been the subject of intense controversy in the paddock, moving Richards last month to reveal that a planned link-up with McLaren-Mercedes had been called off. Richards explained that Prodrive's target now is to debut in 2009, pending the consent of the FIA World Motor Sport Council. "Secondly, we must wait for the new Concorde. Only then can we fully assess our options," he added. Richards, former Benetton and BAR boss, said: "Our ambition is still to be in Formula One. "But there was the risk of legal procedures because we wanted to use a customer car. As a result, our entire business plan was put into doubt. "So we have chosen to re-group instead of simply race ahead blindly," he explained.
Who cares, if they don't build their own cars they should race. That is why it is a Constructors Championship and something different to all other race series. The appeal of F1 has always been that the cars were different and a result we got things like Ground Effects, Fan Cars, Etc.
Damn. Another Force, Dome project. Didn't even make it as far as Lola in it's last attempt... F1. Here today, gone later today....
They are running a test mule now based on the V8 Vantage for GT2. Are they in, who knows. I would rather see them with the V12 in GT1 against the Corvettes but they haven't called all week for my advise.
I agree with you BUT... can you imagine how bad Richards and Prodrive got totally SHAFTED by Mosley? They announce some big competition where only one winner will be 'allowed' to enter F1. All these teams have to show resources, put together business plans, spend big chunks of money to win the prize that Mosley has put out there. Then Mosley pulls the rug out.. the prize they spent all that money to win actually doesn't exist. From Mosley's standpoint "oops! too bad! maybe next year....". If I was Richards I would be livid! I can't believe nobody has sued the FIA and succeeded yet. With the BS they pull I'd think it wouldn't be that hard of a win.
Well, this is pretty disappointing, but I think we all saw it coming. Ever since the agreement with McLaren fell through, I haven't heard a single bit of positive news about the ProDrive F1 program. I hope they can still get in for 2009.
Richards seems to have a good case, IANAL and all that. I'd wager that he won't do anything about it because he still wants to get into F1 and going litigious would just reduce him to tiny Stoddartian levels in the eyes of the powers that be. The FIA have some fairly think and numb skulls, but I wouldn't doubt that they are placating Richards' palms and nerves with silver. They promised too much too early and Williams wouldn't remove their sabot from the machinery, so the whole lot was tossed out with Prodrive in the bathwater for 2008. My prediction is Prodrive remains quiet and decides to cook up their own chassis or just walk away for the day. It's all good in my eyes, cook up your own car or stay home.
Who knows what the contract is. What we do know is that Richards wants to be in F1. They have the facilities, they have the manpower, they can get an engine (Toyota, BMW, Honda, Ferrari, Renault..point is there's engines to be had). The only thing they don't have is a chassis, but they've also now got a year to make their own. A reasonable bet would be that Prodrive cooks up their own chassis that'll be bad at the first, but they'll have it. To answer your question...though I'd guess that if they failed for 2009 their bid would end and the slot would be given to some other outfit that's just rubbish.
Customer car's just aren't fair in F1. It really wouldn't make any sense, I can't believe he thought the other teams would allow it.
...Richards must be MAD...but if he wants in...he´ll have to play by the ever changing rule book...Max IS an ASS ...although I dont like those "customer cars" and I dont want them in F1, they should have decided all that BEFORE it was even close to bet fot the place!... what a lack of respect for the ProDrive people and their efforts...and I think they will become a worthy enemy if they ever get in. the FIA and those rulebooks...ah....what a waste to have Max on top of things.
GT2 looks to be quite crowded next year (Which is a good thing!!!) with the numerous 430's, the two possible Riley C6's, the Multimatic Panoz guys will back I'm assuming, now the Aston's, and are just the Flying Lizard guys staying in Porsche's for next year? Gotta get my tickets for Sebring now!!!
Question: How do you make a small fortune in Formula 1? Answer: Start with a large fortune If he has to build his own car and can only get a customer motor, he's probably better off staying out of it. Just ask Tom Walkinshaw or Alain Prost...
