Aston Martin coming back in Formula One?
Discussion
Prodrive Formula One are in need of an engine for 2008 but who would be the provider?
Current engine builders Mercedes do not sell customer engines, they could look on it as extra testing to match their main rivals Ferrari (supplying 2 customer teams), Renault (1 customer), Honda (1 customer) and Toyota who already have a contract to supply Williams. However more interestingly Mercedes could be the supplier with a clause/contract to take over the team the following year. Their Direxiv application was turned down by the FIA but by supplying Prodrive and buying them out they could still have their junior F1 team. The remaining engine supplier is BMW not currently supplying a customer team, but what would BMW gain other than extra testing miles on the engines a good enough reason but possibly also an expensive option for a newcomer like Prodrive if BMW are not going to get a junior team out of the alliance.
If none of the above the only other possibility is Cosworth. Previously a subsidiary of the Ford Motor Company, but now owned by Gerald Forsythe and Kevin Kalkhoven. With no contract to supply a team in 2007 they are not limited to the current engine freeze and could work and develope their own F1 engine until being picked up in 2008. Prodrive (joining F1 in 2008) have close links with Aston Martin, building and running the ALMS and FIA GT DBR9 GT race cars. Rumours have been growing since Ford announced it's decision to sell Aston Martin linking Cosworth F1 engines badged as Aston Martin. The current Cosworth engine was powering Williams this year, which although suffering a lot of DNF's few of them were attributed to the engine, it's a strong enough, powerful enough engine and with a years tinkering could be a very useful powerplant for 2008. Prodrive Aston Martin on the grid in 2008? Any bets being taken?
The only other names being thrown about as possible suppliers but not yet in F1 are Hyundai (Korean GP in 2010), Nissan (the old Renault re-badging) and VW/Audi.
Current engine builders Mercedes do not sell customer engines, they could look on it as extra testing to match their main rivals Ferrari (supplying 2 customer teams), Renault (1 customer), Honda (1 customer) and Toyota who already have a contract to supply Williams. However more interestingly Mercedes could be the supplier with a clause/contract to take over the team the following year. Their Direxiv application was turned down by the FIA but by supplying Prodrive and buying them out they could still have their junior F1 team. The remaining engine supplier is BMW not currently supplying a customer team, but what would BMW gain other than extra testing miles on the engines a good enough reason but possibly also an expensive option for a newcomer like Prodrive if BMW are not going to get a junior team out of the alliance.
If none of the above the only other possibility is Cosworth. Previously a subsidiary of the Ford Motor Company, but now owned by Gerald Forsythe and Kevin Kalkhoven. With no contract to supply a team in 2007 they are not limited to the current engine freeze and could work and develope their own F1 engine until being picked up in 2008. Prodrive (joining F1 in 2008) have close links with Aston Martin, building and running the ALMS and FIA GT DBR9 GT race cars. Rumours have been growing since Ford announced it's decision to sell Aston Martin linking Cosworth F1 engines badged as Aston Martin. The current Cosworth engine was powering Williams this year, which although suffering a lot of DNF's few of them were attributed to the engine, it's a strong enough, powerful enough engine and with a years tinkering could be a very useful powerplant for 2008. Prodrive Aston Martin on the grid in 2008? Any bets being taken?
The only other names being thrown about as possible suppliers but not yet in F1 are Hyundai (Korean GP in 2010), Nissan (the old Renault re-badging) and VW/Audi.
Edited by FourWheelDrift on Monday 6th November 20:58
LongQ said:
I'd go for Audi with Schumacher M taking the principle's role and running V8 diesels. The odd accidental fuel spillage at key moments would be a perfect ploy for a master strategist.
(although I don't think Schumi's got any "principles" other than winning, whatever it takes. As a team "principal" I think he would get very frustrated unless he could find drivers with a similar perspective who were both capable of driving up to the fine line separating within and outwith the rules, and just occasionally stepping over it while smiling demurely!)
David Richards has courted Hyundai for some time now to ramp up its involvement in motorsport. There was a lot of talk of him rebadging manufacturer engines with the Hyundai name for his F1 foray. With Renault now committed to supply two teams on the grid and with Flav re-signing, I don't see any manufacturer out there willing to have the Hyundai badge stuck on their engine.
So if DR wishes to proceeed with his Hyundai plan (and it was reported that Hyundai bosses were present at the Jaapanese GP and very enthusiastic about F1), then perhaps this is the lifeline that Cosworth need. Bernard Ferguson did state that Cosworth were considering an IP sale - but this wasn't his preferred option. The Hyundai deal would be good news for Pordrive and Cosworth.
McLaren have a good B team setup (including their old facility in Woking) and I think they'll wait to see who throws their hat into the ring. They'd probably want someone to take on the whole shooting match and we know that DR has obtained approval for his facility in Warwickshire - so he won't need Woking.
So if DR wishes to proceeed with his Hyundai plan (and it was reported that Hyundai bosses were present at the Jaapanese GP and very enthusiastic about F1), then perhaps this is the lifeline that Cosworth need. Bernard Ferguson did state that Cosworth were considering an IP sale - but this wasn't his preferred option. The Hyundai deal would be good news for Pordrive and Cosworth.
McLaren have a good B team setup (including their old facility in Woking) and I think they'll wait to see who throws their hat into the ring. They'd probably want someone to take on the whole shooting match and we know that DR has obtained approval for his facility in Warwickshire - so he won't need Woking.
So let's look at who DR's outfit has worked closely with recently (and/or is still working with).
Subaru
Aston Martin
Ford
Recently:
Customer 550Maranello's
Mazda (RX8 developments)
Fiat (Stilo Schumacher development)
I'd go for a Cosworth engine, with either Aston Martin, or...dare I suggest such heresy, FORD on it!!
Rob.
Subaru
Aston Martin
Ford
Recently:
Customer 550Maranello's
Mazda (RX8 developments)
Fiat (Stilo Schumacher development)
I'd go for a Cosworth engine, with either Aston Martin, or...dare I suggest such heresy, FORD on it!!
Rob.
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