Prodrive

[aussief1 4]

With some of Prodrive's much antipated announcements due over the next couple of weeks I thought I would start an new thread where all the developements can be discussed in one thread.

Here is one article to kick things off:

McLaren sets Prodrive end of June deadline

Formula One is expecting a twelfth team on the grid next season in the shape of David Richards

[Jem of the Shire 0]

Step up Eddie Jordan!!! Jordan was 1 of the parties that wanted to bring in a 12th team.

Either way i'll be happy to see 12 teams. So what are these annoucements that are due then?

[aussief1 4]

Step up Eddie Jordan!!! Jordan was 1 of the parties that wanted to bring in a 12th team.

Either way i'll be happy to see 12 teams. So what are these annoucements that are due then?

Dave Richards has mentioned in a few interviews that more details regarding drivers / sponsors ect, will be announced at the British GP in July.

Watch this space I guess.

[Jez 0]

I've been looking forward to seeing Prodrive take form all year. I hope Dave Richards can sort things out in time. It's always interesting when a new team arrives to the paddock. Prodrive's been so quiet ever since their 2008 entry was approved; I guess now we can finally get the nitty grits of what they've been up to all this time come end of June..

[Shane2 0]

If he doesn't get it I would personally like to see stoddy back on the grid

[mikathegreat2 2]

What about Audi being the 12th F1 team for 2008? You'll find a thread about it on 1 of the previous pages!

[Jem of the Shire 0]

Dave Richards has mentioned in a few interviews that more details regarding drivers / sponsors / drivers will be announced at the British GP in July.

dammit i'll be at silverstone all weekend so will probably not see these updates til monday

If he doesn't get it I would personally like to see stoddy back on the grid

i'm sure cavallino will have something to say about that. i'd personally much prefer Jordan to come back

[Shane2 0]

Stoddy was the only person who gave a crap about the fans, he was one of the few people trying to do good by the sport in my opinion.

[StoneIsland 0]

Any idea regarding the chances that Prodrive (assuming they get it together) will enter branded as Aston Martin?

A couple of months ago, I read in F1 Magazine that Audi just wasn't interested in F1.

[Shane2 0]

I would say pretty unlikely personally

[aussief1 4]

Any idea regarding the chances that Prodrive (assuming they get it together) will enter branded as Aston Martin?

A couple of months ago, I read in F1 Magazine that Audi just wasn't interested in F1.

I would say pretty unlikely personally

I would say that prodrive branding the team Aston Martin would heavily depend on who they do a deal with to supply them with a car next year. For instance, McLaren Mercedes who are rumoured to be looking deeply into a technical partnership with Prodrive, if that is the case I doubt that Mercedes would be happy to supply cars to prodrive if they where indeed to be named Aston Martin. It's in direct competition with their own brand and image.

[StoneIsland 0]

I would say pretty unlikely personally

I would say that prodrive branding the team Aston Martin would heavily depend on who they do a deal with to supply them with a car next year. For instance, McLaren Mercedes who are rumoured to be looking deeply into a technical partnership with Prodrive, if that is the case I doubt that Mercedes would be happy to supply cars to prodrive if they where indeed to be named Aston Martin. It's in direct competition with their own brand and image.

It's just that Richards is also part of the group that bought the Aston mark from Ford. In addition, McLaren has stated that they are only working on the marketing aspect of the team, not technical or sporting.

Of course, I imagine Aston already sells every car that they make, so they don't need F1 as advertising. Unless they need to raise public awareness because they want to make themselves more attractive to in turn be bought out by some larger manufacturer.

[aussief1 4]

It's just that Richards is also part of the group that bought the Aston mark from Ford. In addition, McLaren has stated that they are only working on the marketing aspect of the team, not technical or sporting.

Of course, I imagine Aston already sells every car that they make, so they don't need F1 as advertising. Unless they need to raise public awareness because they want to make themselves more attractive to in turn be bought out by some larger manufacturer.

Yes, I know that Dave Richards was one of the leaders of the consortium that bought Aston Martin from Ford a couple of months back.

When has McLaren stated that they are only working on the marketing partnership with Prodrive??? I was under the strong impression that McLaren where looking into a partnership with Prodive that would see them supply chassis to them. That's not marketing that's a technical partnership my friend.

Yes I image Aston Martin sell every car they make it's good business sense to do that, however more awareness as you say is key to building a strong brand name. Do you think that all of the tifosi in the world can afford a Ferrari; no of course they cannot, where Ferrari make money is in Merchandise.

[StoneIsland 0]

Yes, I know that Dave Richards was one of the leaders of the consortium that bought Aston Martin from Ford a couple of months back.

When has McLaren stated that they are only working on the marketing partnership with Prodrive??? I was under the strong impression that McLaren where looking into a partnership with Prodive that would see them supply chassis to them. That's not marketing that's a technical partnership my friend.

Yes I image Aston Martin sell every car they make it's good business sense to do that, however more awareness as you say is key to building a strong brand name. Do you think that all of the tifosi in the world can afford a Ferrari; no of course they cannot, where Ferrari make money is in Merchandise.

From F1 Racing, May 2007:

Matt Bishop: What do you say when people suggest that you, or McLaren, or both, are going to buy or buy into, Prodrive?

Ron Dennis: Look, there's been no dialogue whatsoever with anyone at Prodrive on that subject. The only conversation I've had with David [Richards] has been about the possibility--and it remains only a possibility at this stage--of McLaren Marketing supporting him in his efforts to fund Prodrive's F1 programme.

MB: Okay, but are you ruling out supplying cars to, or having a partnership that goes beyond offering marketing services to, Prodrive and/or David Richards in F1?

RD: No, I'd never rule out having a partnership with another F1 team, but it would be somewhat premature to say it will be Prodrive.

I was never under the impression that Ferrari made much money for Fiat. Ferrari has always been a kind of massive vanity project, with low profit margins. Aston Martin was, I imagine, much the same, thus why Ford was glad to be rid of them.

[aussief1 4]

From F1 Racing, May 2007:

I was never under the impression that Ferrari made much money for Fiat. Ferrari has always been a kind of massive vanity project, with low profit margins. Aston Martin was, I imagine, much the same, thus why Ford was glad to be rid of them.

Yeah your 100% correct, Ferrari almost run at a loss year in year out.

I read the article myself just the other week and completly over looked that It's got me beat why Prodrive would require marketing assistance aswell as a technical partnership with McLaren. Dave Richards is more than accomplished businessman that would be able to look after his own marketing department. Well I woud like to think so anyway!!

[f1maniac 0]

yea...i would deff want to see eddie or stoddy back on the grid...they were great charcters that always spoke their mind! true legeneds IMO!

[Oli 1]

From F1 Racing, May 2007:

I was never under the impression that Ferrari made much money for Fiat. Ferrari has always been a kind of massive vanity project, with low profit margins. Aston Martin was, I imagine, much the same, thus why Ford was glad to be rid of them.

At the time of sale Aston Martin was, I believe, the only division of Ford which was making any money. Why they sold it is beyond me, but it's nice to see it out of Ford's hands.

[Jem of the Shire 0]

Yep back in the hands of an englishman, as it should be

[cavallino 2]

Stoddy was the only person who gave a crap about the fans, he was one of the few people trying to do good by the sport in my opinion.

Did he? Why did he mislead everyone and not pull his cars out at Indy then? Why did he almost get the Australian grand prix scratched by going to court because he wasn't willing to comply with sporting regulations? You never replied in the last thread so I ask you again. What has he done for fans that you would like to point out?

Yep back in the hands of an englishman, as it should be

The notions of cars being 'British' or 'German' or 'American' is so outdated, whatever Jeremy Clarkson may tell you.

[ykickamoocow 0]

The notions of cars being 'British' or 'German' or 'American' is so outdated, whatever Jeremy Clarkson may tell you.

Not really. Sure the cars use parts from all over the world but they are usually designed in one country. The new Chevrolet Camaro is Australian

[dribbler 6]

If he doesn't get it I would personally like to see stoddy back on the grid

Stoddy was the only person who gave a crap about the fans, he was one of the few people trying to do good by the sport in my opinion.

He was an antagonist who liked to use the "leave me alone, i'm the little man for the good of the sport" card a little too often, in my opinion. He whined and moaned like an old woman. He tried to punch above his weight and couldn't. He's better off out.

Flying and smoking, he's good at that.

[StoneIsland 0]

At the time of sale Aston Martin was, I believe, the only division of Ford which was making any money. Why they sold it is beyond me, but it's nice to see it out of Ford's hands.

From Motor Authority:

[aussief1 4]

Did he? Why did he mislead everyone and not pull his cars out at Indy then? Why did he almost get the Australian grand prix scratched by going to court because he wasn't willing to comply with sporting regulations? You never replied in the last thread so I ask you again. What has he done for fans that you would like to point out?

I liked and disliked Stoddy while he was at the helm of Minardi. He did some good and spoke out against the money Ferrari get for nothing (their heritage value to the sport) and he made himself out to be a complete fool with the points Cav noted.

[Shane2 0]

He was an antagonist who liked to use the "leave me alone, i'm the little man for the good of the sport" card a little too often, in my opinion. He whined and moaned like an old woman. He tried to punch above his weight and couldn't. He's better off out.

Flying and smoking, he's good at that.

He was the only person who stood up to the greed of Ferrari and the general stupidity of the FIA, and that is something that I admire him for

[aussief1 4]

De la Rosa unsure about 2008 role

Pedro de la Rosa has shed no further light on rumours that McLaren's current test driver lineup is first in line for a Prodrive seat in 2008. David Richards' Banbury-based team is expected to enter formula one next year with a customer car-engine package bought from McLaren and its engine partner Mercedes-Benz. But Spaniard de la Rosa, McLaren's primary test driver alongside Gary Paffett, told the newspaper 'Diario As' that he did not know what his future held.

"Of course it is my intention to be involved in formula one also next season," the 36-year-old said, "and if I am racing then that is even better."

De la Rosa continued: "But it is necessary also be realistic. It is difficult to say if I will be (racing), but we will see."

Experts have cast doubt on the Paffett-de la Rosa-Prodrive speculation because it would leave McLaren needing to field an all-new test lineup in 2008.

Source: De la Rosa unsure about 2008 role