Aston martin in F1 ???
Discussion
I was on the ball back in November - www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&t=324038
And last month
And last month
FourWheelDrift said:
Another name in the frame.
David Richards adds to the interest
David Richards is working on a deal to buy Aston Martin. The bid is in league with yet-to-be revealed financiers, including an Egyptian investment bank. Aston Martin is being auctioned off by Ford, despite the fact that it is profitable. The company is based in a purpose built facility at Gaydon in Warwickshire, which is close to Prodrive's current headquarters and to the company's planned new site at the former Honiley Airfield at Wroxall. This will include an advanced engineering research and development campus, a conference facility called the Catalyst Centre and a test track.
The big question is whether the bid is linked to Formula 1 or whether Richards has decided to sell his franchise in the sport to help raise money for the Aston Martin takeover. The Aston Martin company is one of the most prestigious sports car brands in the world and has a strong sporting heritage, dating back to the very start of the firm in 1913. The company sold 4500 cars in 2005 but suffered a sharp drop in 2006 because of the weak dollar and. The buyers, however, believe that the overall trend is upwards as new regions become automobile buyers in the years ahead. In this respect a Formula 1 project would be an obvious bonus for the company. The Prodrive company already has close links with Aston Martin and builds racing versions of the cars and has a deal to allow it to build and sell road-going versions for customers. The DBR9 sports car has enjoyed some success on the tracks and is aiming for more. The bid is beliveed to be worth around $900m.
Prodrive's plan - at least the one that has been announced - is to partner an existing F1 team. The team says it will announce some key appointments in the next couple of months. The team's factory will take about two years to build and the plan is to have car running in December.
At the same time there are rumours doing the rounds that Ron Dennis is on the verge of buying Prodrive so it will be interesting to see how all this works out.
GrandPrix.com said:
David Richards adds to the interest
David Richards is working on a deal to buy Aston Martin. The bid is in league with yet-to-be revealed financiers, including an Egyptian investment bank. Aston Martin is being auctioned off by Ford, despite the fact that it is profitable. The company is based in a purpose built facility at Gaydon in Warwickshire, which is close to Prodrive's current headquarters and to the company's planned new site at the former Honiley Airfield at Wroxall. This will include an advanced engineering research and development campus, a conference facility called the Catalyst Centre and a test track.
The big question is whether the bid is linked to Formula 1 or whether Richards has decided to sell his franchise in the sport to help raise money for the Aston Martin takeover. The Aston Martin company is one of the most prestigious sports car brands in the world and has a strong sporting heritage, dating back to the very start of the firm in 1913. The company sold 4500 cars in 2005 but suffered a sharp drop in 2006 because of the weak dollar and. The buyers, however, believe that the overall trend is upwards as new regions become automobile buyers in the years ahead. In this respect a Formula 1 project would be an obvious bonus for the company. The Prodrive company already has close links with Aston Martin and builds racing versions of the cars and has a deal to allow it to build and sell road-going versions for customers. The DBR9 sports car has enjoyed some success on the tracks and is aiming for more. The bid is beliveed to be worth around $900m.
Prodrive's plan - at least the one that has been announced - is to partner an existing F1 team. The team says it will announce some key appointments in the next couple of months. The team's factory will take about two years to build and the plan is to have car running in December.
At the same time there are rumours doing the rounds that Ron Dennis is on the verge of buying Prodrive so it will be interesting to see how all this works out.
groomi said:
Rumours are spreading that Prodrive (with backers from the Middle East) are the successful bidders for Aston Martin.
If this is the case, then what are the odds on F1s 12th team in 2008 being badged Aston Martin?
If this is the case, then what are the odds on F1s 12th team in 2008 being badged Aston Martin?
NO NO NO NO...
Don't put AM into F1. It's heritage is in sports cars and should stay that way. AM in F1 will be commercial suicide. Sports cars has a much higher return on investment that F1 will ever have. Besides, as someone has clearly stated, Prodrive are not buying AM, DR is heading up a team of international investers to obtain and run the business, and that business is in the production of stunning road cars with a sports car heritage.
leave it that way, it's the only arm of Ford that is making money and it should stay that way...
sdw2003 said:
groomi said:
Rumours are spreading that Prodrive (with backers from the Middle East) are the successful bidders for Aston Martin.
If this is the case, then what are the odds on F1s 12th team in 2008 being badged Aston Martin?
If this is the case, then what are the odds on F1s 12th team in 2008 being badged Aston Martin?
NO NO NO NO...
Don't put AM into F1. It's heritage is in sports cars and should stay that way. AM in F1 will be commercial suicide. Sports cars has a much higher return on investment that F1 will ever have.
Why though, you can't keep looking back at glory days in the past and using it to dictate future ventures. Heritage is something to always build on, when Ferrari started making road cars no one suggested they stay in racing because that's where their heritage was. In terms of investment, Prodrive are already committed to running in F1 in 2008, they will run a customer chassis (most likely source being a McLaren) they will also buy a customer engine (Cosworth perhaps). There will be no massive investment from the Aston Martin side of things just the name perhaps tagged onto the engines and some behind the scenes development of parts. This won't be like Jaguar's effort.
It's all about product placement and marketing. I think AM in F1 will simply be disaster waiting to happen.
Besides, Prodrive, as has been said on other threads, is not buying AM, it is DR heading up a group of overseas investors.
You'll probably find also that the AM customers are more in tune with sports cars than F1.
What is wrong with heritage, Ferrari use it everyday of it's working life, albeit the heritage of it's F1 existence...
Besides, Prodrive, as has been said on other threads, is not buying AM, it is DR heading up a group of overseas investors.
You'll probably find also that the AM customers are more in tune with sports cars than F1.
What is wrong with heritage, Ferrari use it everyday of it's working life, albeit the heritage of it's F1 existence...
sdw2003 said:
What is wrong with heritage, Ferrari use it everyday of it's working life, albeit the heritage of it's F1 existence...
Yes, but you don't stay fixed to the heritage. you build on it. Which is what Ferrari have done and introduce new things which in 30 years time will be another chunk of heritage.
Dave Richards, Prodrive, half funded GT program, hawking DBR9's around to make a few quid and an F1 program - Now we ca shudder at the thought of them owning Aston Martin.
Oh well I suppose a new money bloke like DR fits in well with a time where Aston Martins appear in gangsta rap videos.
Is nothing special anymore? You know I can suddenly see the appeal of owning a Bristol now.
Dear Bristol car company - please never get involved with pikey blokes like David Richards.
Oh well I suppose a new money bloke like DR fits in well with a time where Aston Martins appear in gangsta rap videos.
Is nothing special anymore? You know I can suddenly see the appeal of owning a Bristol now.
Dear Bristol car company - please never get involved with pikey blokes like David Richards.
p490kvp said:
Dave Richards, Prodrive, half funded GT program, hawking DBR9's around to make a few quid and an F1 program - Now we ca shudder at the thought of them owning Aston Martin.
Oh well I suppose a new money bloke like DR fits in well with a time where Aston Martins appear in gangsta rap videos.
Is nothing special anymore? You know I can suddenly see the appeal of owning a Bristol now.
Dear Bristol car company - please never get involved with pikey blokes like David Richards.
Oh well I suppose a new money bloke like DR fits in well with a time where Aston Martins appear in gangsta rap videos.
Is nothing special anymore? You know I can suddenly see the appeal of owning a Bristol now.
Dear Bristol car company - please never get involved with pikey blokes like David Richards.
Credit where its due Prodrive have some very able Engineers and anyone who has seen there programs at Le Mans will testify.
Seen the work, know some of the guys - the DBR9 race cars are nice but then again when they cost nearly a half million sterling they should be..The DBR9's are (Audi R10 aside) the most expensive cars on the grid.
All that aside I'm not talking about engineering I'm talking about brand..
Edited to add - re: the race program. How come they have abandoned the ALMS and have yet to beat the Corvette at Le Mans - a car that is half the money and twice the age.
All that aside I'm not talking about engineering I'm talking about brand..
Edited to add - re: the race program. How come they have abandoned the ALMS and have yet to beat the Corvette at Le Mans - a car that is half the money and twice the age.
Edited by p490kvp on Sunday 11th March 10:10
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