Prodrive set for 2010 F1 entry - to become Aston Martin in 2012

Prodrive CEO and Chairman David Richards

May 29, 2009 1:42 PM
Filed Under: Aston Martin, F1

David Richards' Banbury-based outfit is set to make its formula one debut next year.

The team, expected to link up technically with McLaren-Mercedes, will initially enter the world championship as Prodrive, before becoming Aston Martin by 2012.

It is believed Richards, formerly team boss at Benetton and BAR, committed to lodging his official paperwork by Friday's deadline after discussions with Bernie Ecclestone that lasted until late Wednesday night.

It was on Wednesday that the FIA rules finally became clear (pending official confirmation), following a compromise deal amid the existing teams' standoff with the sport's ruling bodies.

Next year, the budget cap will be 100m, with special concessions such as cheap components offered to small teams, before the figure shrinks to 45m in 2011.

"The cars will be built at Banbury and have Aston Martin-badged customer engines obtained from a supplier," Richards confirmed to Autocar.

Among the backers is Aston Martin's majority owner Investment Dar, a Kuwaiti shareholding company, and another Middle Eastern interest.

 

Source: GMM

Comments

Scarcliff
May 29, 2009 4:20 PM
Really Good News, But Why Can't They Just Enter Under The Name Of Aston Martin Straight Away?

Shiparch
May 29, 2009 6:43 PM
Yes, very good news, real automobile manufacturers is what F1 needs, not a bunch of energy drinks.

Vanguard
May 29, 2009 8:29 PM
I don't know how Investment Dar would back this move, it is bleeding, deeply insolvent and facing bankruptcy lawsuits back in Kuwait!!!

Viking79
May 29, 2009 8:36 PM
Well said Shiparch!!

Bristol411S3
May 29, 2009 11:57 PM
Given that we've already seen some paperwork signed for Aston to used some Mercedes components, it's not too hard to imagine a Mercedes engined, Aston branded car.

igabbmw
May 30, 2009 12:06 AM
Good ! But why the name PRODRIVE? I mean why waiting to name the team ASTON MARTIN?

Shiparch
May 30, 2009 3:48 AM
To Bristol's comment and your question I imagine that Aston Martin want's to take their time to design a winning engine and car. In 2012 they'll go from Mercedes power to Aston Martin. I'm very excited about ProDrive, Lola and looking forward to USF1.

Xanavi23
May 31, 2009 5:22 AM
to add to shiparchs reply, Aston is probably holding their name back for a season or two so that by the time their name is shown and made its presence felt, the team is due to do at least better in 2012, if only due to experience gained, basically Aston limits negative effects of bad performance.

astroturf777
May 30, 2009 8:02 AM
prodrive is an active racing team - currently supposed to be racing the wrx in rally - but with no car supplied they're out... i assume this means that they have sponsors, investors etc. who all want the switch under the current name to fulfill commercial and business contracts.

Tashinga
May 30, 2009 1:34 PM
WHAT ABOUT LAMBORGHINI PORSCHE and AUDI? Any possibility of them joining soon????

Vlad
May 30, 2009 2:00 PM
yeah, I want to see LAmbo, Porsche & Audi in the mix too.... Audi esp with a diesel powered motor!

radmeister
June 2, 2009 4:26 AM
"The cars will be built at Banbury and have Aston Martin-badged customer engines obtained from a supplier" i think that should be CUSTOM not customer.

kalle_Karlstrom
June 2, 2009 3:32 PM
At last some good news in F1..

View Comment Rules

Add Comment

You are modifying your comment

Exisiting User

Username
Password
remember me

New Users

Username
Email
Password
Comment

Your account

username
password

Other links