Posted by ashleigh on
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.”
Posted by ashleigh on
February 21, 2007
Aston Martin to come to F1?
It looks like the F1 rumor mill is grinding again. The current hot topic is whether ProDrive will be branded as Aston on the grid in 2008.
David Richards is said to be working with Egyptian investment banks to fund the purchase of the prestige British marque from Ford (funnily it’s one of the only profitable parts of Ford at the moment).
If purchased they would brand the F1 cars with the Marque. This would be good news for the team, not only would they gain instant credibility, but it would also increase their desirability to sponsors.
Another thought on the deal may be that Richards would have to sell his entry in the 2008 championship to someone else to fund the takeover. I doubt that though, as ProDrive have been involved with Aston in it’s LeMan’s program so know the sports division of the company well.
