F1 News
- April 24, 2007
McProdrive Deal not done yet
That’s the news according to McLaren boss Ron Dennis, saying that the rumoured deal is ‘premature’.
The ProDrive team (owned by WRC Boss David Richards) will join the grid in 2008, and will be the first of the official ‘customer’ teams.
Dennis said that there has not been an agreement signed yet, but that it remains a possibility that the ProDrive cars will be brand engineered McLaren-Mercedes cars.
Dennis stated in an interview in F1 Racing that - “I’d never rule out having a partnership with another F1 team, but it would be somewhat premature to say it will be Prodrive.”
“If, however, as seems probable, the regulations for 2008 and beyond are such that running a B-team, or supplying chassis to partner teams, becomes possible - well then, along with our colleagues at Mercedes-Benz high performance engines (Ilmore - Ed), of course we’ll seriously consider it.”
“It’s not just about revenue. Doing it well would be challenging and would require extra resource, yes, and the company would therefore have to be properly compensated for it.”
“And the revenue stream, as you put it, would also allow for greater investment in car development and so on.
“So, overall, you’d have to say that there are more pluses than minuses.”
So then, it’s perhaps a closer reality than not. Only time will tell. Richards is set to announce his team lineup and details at this years British GP.
