Prodrive

[aussief1 4]

Prodrive.

I hate the idea of spec or customer cars or whatever.

I hope F1 won't become a spec series free for all. Don't want to design your chassi, don't bother with F1.

I agree, I also hate the idea of customer chassis and the forming of technical partnerships, but one thing might happen here that has not yet been discussed.

It's that almost a certain fact that no team will ever win a World Championship with a bought chassis. So with that in mind a company with a rich motorsport history like Prodrive has, would be silly to enter into a long term agreement with a technical partner for the reason that most motorsport teams exist to win, and if they cannot do that because they as nothing but a customer, what's the point to the whole exercise in the first place.....

In summary this phase of customer chassis might just well be a short one.

Well I'm hoping anyway.

[aussief1 4]

Richards delays Prodrive announcements

David Richards on Friday stepped away from expectations that he would this weekend outline Prodrive's plans for its first season in Formula One next year.

The Silverstone paddock was eagerly awaiting details about drivers, sponsors, and confirmation of the customer McLaren-Mercedes chassis deal, but Richards instead said the news would be revealed later this summer as planned.

McLaren boss Ron Dennis had even imposed a July deadline, but Richards denied that he promised an announcement at this event.

He told Speed TV: "I said it could be the British GP. But we are very close to being able to announce something."

There is, however, little doubt that the deal with McLaren will eventually be sealed, which is sure to include staff of the Woking based team and even the support of their commercial departments for the finding of sponsors.

"I did say the summer, and I'll by stand the summer," Richards added.

Source: Richards delays Prodrive announcements

[Autumnpuma 0]

Most people think that a customer chassis won't win races (maybe DOF can give us some history on that..my memory says it hasn't happened). I would venture the opinion that Richards will change that. Mark me, he'll win.

[aussief1 4]

Most people think that a customer chassis won't win races (maybe DOF can give us some history on that..my memory says it hasn't happened). I would venture the opinion that Richards will change that. Mark me, he'll win.

Customer chassis where a normal part of the early years of F1. Everything was bought from a supplier, chassis, engines, gearboxes the list goes on. So I would imagine that a customer chassis has won GP's sometime in the past. I would be interested in the facts if you have more knowledge of this, DOF.

If Prodive are in fact to use the MP4-22 next year it should win races without doubt, It's a dam fine race car. I wonder what sort of kick back Mclaren will recieve if this is to happen. McLaren surely will not take being beaten by their own car without some kind of compensation. Your thoughts........

Interesting that Dave Richards to choosen to delay announcements. I thought he would have loved to use the British GP to stir up some national pride with the announcement of a British driver, in Gary Paffatt.

[5P33D3V1L 0]

I have a feeling that this "Prodrive" project is not going aswell as Dave Richards hoped. I have a feeling he's having trouble getting sponsors and contracts in place. For his drivers next season. Probably be Gary Paffett (if Mclaren are willing to let him go) and Bruno Senna or Timo Glock or Mike Conway. Someone young and inexperienced (even thought Timo has raced in F1 before which could be a bonus). Id like to see Sutil in a more competitive car.

Sounds interesting but Im waiting for the annoucement before I make my decision on Prodrive.

[David Adams 0]

I cant see the customers having any sort of "you cant win" clause in contracts. In simple terms I would quote Super Aguri as current evidence that there is no kind of clause to stop them beating the supplier team.

Will be interesting to see how things play out with Prodrive, but for those who mentioned the Aston Martin name, David Richards did say it may come in to F1, but not for several years/seasons.

[Autumnpuma 0]

Customer chassis where a normal part of the early years of F1. Everything was bought from a supplier, chassis, engines, gearboxes the list goes on. So I would imagine that a customer chassis has won GP's sometime in the past. I would be interested in the facts if you have more knowledge of this, DOF.

If Prodive are in fact to use the MP4-22 next year it should win races without doubt, It's a dam fine race car. I wonder what sort of kick back Mclaren will recieve if this is to happen. McLaren surely will not take being beaten by their own car without some kind of compensation. Your thoughts........

Interesting that Dave Richards to choosen to delay announcements. I thought he would have loved to use the British GP to stir up some national pride with the announcement of a British driver, in Gary Paffatt.

Of course! Thanks for the reminder! I agree with your post.

[Silas Talbot 0]

Aren't they running out of time? If they announce in Aug, it will take them till Oct to get the team together and start work, I suppose Paffett would be driving the same car he's using now, but still... is this delay going to hurt their competitiveness?

[DOF_power 0]

Customer chassis where a normal part of the early years of F1. Everything was bought from a supplier, chassis, engines, gearboxes the list goes on. So I would imagine that a customer chassis has won GP's sometime in the past. I would be interested in the facts if you have more knowledge of this, DOF.

If Prodive are in fact to use the MP4-22 next year it should win races without doubt, It's a dam fine race car. I wonder what sort of kick back Mclaren will recieve if this is to happen. McLaren surely will not take being beaten by their own car without some kind of compensation. Your thoughts........

Interesting that Dave Richards to choosen to delay announcements. I thought he would have loved to use the British GP to stir up some national pride with the announcement of a British driver, in Gary Paffatt.

Read these words:

Rob Walker Racing - Cooper and Lotus chassi - Stirling Moss

Famous victories - Monte Carlo 1961 - Nurburgring 1961 in front of the dominant Ferraris Sharknose.

Ofcourse after WWII there were all sorts of team, constructors like Alfa Romeo, Ferrari, Maserati, MB, garagistes and privateers like Rob Walker.

The problem was many, and all manufacturers except Ferrari, retired.

Before WWII german, italian, and even french manufacturers were subsidised in one way or another. Now things were different, and with costs and subsidies, manufacturers (and even some garagistes left), so FIA allowed things like privateers and garagistes. And even more, just to fill up the grid they allowed F2 cars to participate, but they weren't allowed to score championship points.

[2//horns 0]

Without creating a thread, any further word on Prodrive?

[aussief1 4]

Without creating a thread, any further word on Prodrive?

Dave Richards has been very quite over the last couple of weeks. I should imagine that negotiations with McLaren have been halted due to the NS & MC spy saga.

[aussief1 4]

Prodrive Plans Still Moving Forward

Although no public announcements have been made since David Richards attended the British Grand Prix last July, Prodrive

[Jez 0]

That would be pretty poor form. I'd have rather seen direxiv get the go-ahead if DR does that.

[aussief1 4]

That would be pretty poor form. I'd have rather seen direxiv get the go-ahead if DR does that.

I agree it would be very poor form but possibly a very smart business move from the savy Richards, but lets just wait and see what transpires.

[Jez 0]

I agree it would be very poor form but possibly a very smart business move from the savy Richards, but lets just wait and see what transpires.

Yep, not much choice with Prodrive holding their cards so close. I'm itching to find out what happens, maybe I need more espionage/team order/driver conflict issues in the media to distract myself..

[aussief1 4]

Yep, not much choice with Prodrive holding their cards so close. I'm itching to find out what happens, maybe I need more espionage/team order/driver conflict issues in the media to distract myself..

Yeah, I find the whole Prodrive situation very interesting aswell. I guess we will just have to wait until the media get their hooks into some more juicy information.

[StoneIsland 0]

So, Prodrive won't brand as Aston Martin, then?

[Jean Todt 4]

Yeah, I find the whole Prodrive situation very interesting aswell. I guess we will just have to wait until the media get their hooks into some more juicy information.

I am sure if you give DR some time, within few a season or two his car will be fighting for podiums!

[Erinnn 0]

Did Richards leave Honda on good terms? I barely know anything about him, just saw it in a quick search. If they're on good terms, could they support the team if Super Aguri pulls out? Or is the relationship bad?

[Silas Talbot 0]

In Red Bull-Toro Rosso style, McLaren and F1's twelfth team Prodrive next year could use essentially the same Formula One chassis.

Although news about David Richards' incoming team has been sparing in recent times, it is reported this week that Prodrive is still on track to debut in Melbourne next March.

And the specialist German magazine Auto Motor und Sport claims that with three substantial Prodrive sponsors now on board, McLaren is now working closely with Richards' outfit to put together effectively a 'B' Mercedes-powered team.

To simplify the cross-over between the two teams, and because of time constraints, Prodrive is likely to run the 2008-specification MP4-23 single seater, probably with an identical Mercedes-Benz V8 power plant to its works sister, as the new privateer-friendly rules will probably allow.

Alongside McLaren test drivers Pedro de la Rosa and Gary Paffett as possible Prodrive racers, meanwhile, is Paffett's French-Canadian DTM colleague Bruno Spengler, the magazine added.

Bruno! I just love those DTM racers.