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

 Prodrive set for 2010 F1 entry - to become Aston Martin in 2012
Prodrive CEO and Chairman David Richards

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

Add a Comment

Comments (15)

Subscribe to comments
 Scarcliff Scarcliff
Really Good News, But Why Can't They Just Enter Under The Name Of Aston Martin Straight Away?
May 29, 2009 12:20 pm
 Mikeado Mikeado
They're toe-dipping. If it goes well, they'll start branding as Aston Martin, but they don't want it to go the way of Jaguar F1 or spoil AM's image. Personally I prefer Prodrive to AM as a Formula 1 team anyway - they're just, well, sportier.
December 4, 2009 4:20 pm
 Shiparch Shiparch
Yes, very good news, real automobile manufacturers is what F1 needs, not a bunch of energy drinks.
May 29, 2009 2:43 pm
 Vanguard Vanguard
I don't know how Investment Dar would back this move, it is bleeding, deeply insolvent and facing bankruptcy lawsuits back in Kuwait!!!
May 29, 2009 4:29 pm
 Viking79 Viking79
Well said Shiparch!!
May 29, 2009 4:36 pm
 Bristol411S3 Bristol411S3
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.
May 29, 2009 7:57 pm
 igabbmw igabbmw
Good ! But why the name PRODRIVE? I mean why waiting to name the team ASTON MARTIN?
May 29, 2009 8:06 pm
 Shiparch Shiparch
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.
May 29, 2009 11:48 pm
 Xanavi23 Xanavi23
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.
May 31, 2009 1:22 am
 astroturf777 astroturf777
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.
May 30, 2009 4:02 am
 Tashinga Tashinga
WHAT ABOUT LAMBORGHINI PORSCHE and AUDI? Any possibility of them joining soon????
May 30, 2009 9:34 am
 Vlad Vlad
yeah, I want to see LAmbo, Porsche & Audi in the mix too.... Audi esp with a diesel powered motor!
May 30, 2009 10:00 am
 radmeister radmeister
"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.
June 2, 2009 12:26 am
 kalle_Karlstrom kalle_Karlstrom
At last some good news in F1..
June 2, 2009 11:32 am
 siucdude siucdude
OH what a shame no money in USF1 and Campos,,,, even with budget cuts they cant produce teams. F1 is doing business the wrong way they have no idea how to bring money in market to the new generations....
February 24, 2010 3:04 pm