Prodrive will not enter in 2008

David Richards has confirmed for the first time that Prodrive will definitely not debut in formula one as planned in 2008.

"There was a dispute about our eligibility," the Briton said in an interview with the German specialist magazine Auto Motor und Sport.

"In addition, the new Concorde agreement has been repeatedly delayed. We asked the FIA to be able to start mid-way through the season: our request was rejected.

"So for 2008 there is not a realistic chance of there being a Prodrive formula one team," Richards stated.

In April of last year, F1's governing body announced that Banbury-based Prodrive, an outfit famous for its involvement in world rallying with Subaru, had been selected to become the twelfth and final team in 2008.

But the touted 'customer car' rules have since been the subject of intense controversy in the paddock, moving Richards last month to reveal that a planned link-up with McLaren-Mercedes had been called off.

Richards explained that Prodrive's target now is to debut in 2009, pending the consent of the FIA World Motor Sport Council.

"Secondly, we must wait for the new Concorde. Only then can we fully assess our options," he added.

Richards, former Benetton and BAR boss, said: "Our ambition is still to be in formula one.

"But there was the risk of legal procedures because we wanted to use a customer car. As a result, our entire business plan was put into doubt.

"So we have chosen to re-group instead of simply race ahead blindly," he explained.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
theRacingLine.net
SportsCarArchives.com

Well it was inevitable, at least it won't be Super Aguri style entry. At least they get to come back in 09.

---

Team Owner of ItalianEnglish Dynamics in GPG Super League
GP4 Season 5: 7) Jethro Walters. 8) Zsigmond Somogyi. TD) Stuart Ingers and Joel Henrique
GP3 Season 5: 14) Nathan Turner. 15) Tobias Kederer.
6 Time Race Winners

Thats been more than expected.

Yep. Once again, the FIA are doing their very best to stifle diversity and competition within F1.

---

K*bots UK, specialist providers of 'fun science' Curriculum Enhancement days for Primary and Secondary schools in Britain.
Please find us on [en.wikipedia.org] for more information.

It was a few of the current teams, not just the FIA. The likes of Williams and BMw (I think) opposed the whole customer car scheme, which is unfair really as its the best way of a team getting to grips with F1 and then building their own for the following season. Although, if Prodrive had entered they'd be a McLaren B team effectively and would be challenging BMW and Williams, possibly even beating them. Swings and roundabouts.

---

I can see Williams point of view, certainly. He and Patrick have been through everything to get to where they are, so to see a newbie come in before them through just borrowing bits wouldn't sit well. It's happened in the past, as another thread details recently, but that doesn't make it rub any better.

If they ever see the grid it will surprise me....



"There are some pikeys there at Turn 10 putting tarmac down - what do you think of that?" - Martin Brundle

It has to be taken into account that Prodrive aren't just some random big company like Toyota, willing to throw money at it to succeed. Prodrive have been successful in everything they have entered, and are the ultimate privateer team. So good that wherever they go, big companies (Subaru, Ford, etc) are begging them to run there official teams for them.

Prodrive are in this for the competition, and for the long run. They won't run away crying when the rules are changed, and they won't run away crying when things get a little tough, and they certainly won't run away happy if they win it, like too many big companies do.

It should also be noted that Williams first year (1977) was run using a customer chassis (a March 761), so for Frank to be complaining is a bit hypocritical. The other team complaining was Spyker, or Farce F1 Random Country Name Racing as they are now known. They are only in F1 because they bought other teams, and they only have a car because they have a hacked up 2004 Jordan lying about which they keep duct taping parts too. They didn't design that car either, but they are claiming Prodrive should.

Given F1s history, Williams history, and Force F1 India Racings complete ignorance of the sport, combined with the FIA U-turning on customer cars (which was the only reason we had so many applications for the 2008 slot), Prodrive should be feeling like they just got raped.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
theRacingLine.net
SportsCarArchives.com

Still, at least with another year to prepare, that means they can build their own chassis, right?

---

Everyone knows that million-to-one chances happen 9 times out of 10; indeed, it's a common requirement in fairy tales. If the human didn't have to overcome huge odds, what would be the point? Terry Pratchett - The Science Of Discworld

GPGSL S5 Race driver for IED.

Prodrive (moustly) are going to build theit chassis or make someones of specialist (Dallara, Reynard, Lola, ...) to do it for them.
Nowdays F1 is CONSTRUCTORS sport, not TEAMS, if prodrive is not happy with that then they can go to ChampCar or IRL or whatever.

stipe Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Prodrive (moustly) are going to build theit
> chassis or make someones of specialist (Dallara,
> Reynard, Lola, ...) to do it for them.
> Nowdays F1 is CONSTRUCTORS sport, not TEAMS, if
> prodrive is not happy with that then they can go
> to ChampCar or IRL or whatever.


Agreed. This isn't the late 60's early 70's anymore with teams like Mclaren and March selling machinery to anyone with deep enough pockets to buy it.

What's fair about Spyker/Force India actually building their chassis while ProDrive laments not being able to use someone elses? The fact they based their entire entry on being able to use Mclarens car is really just shortsighted planning isn't it?



"There are some pikeys there at Turn 10 putting tarmac down - what do you think of that?" - Martin Brundle

What's fair about Spyker/Force India actually building their chassis

"Building" is a term which should be used loosely. It can also be said that Prodrive could have built a McLaren and McLaren could have supplied the plans. Whilst that is a customer car, it is still building it. If a team is to design there own car, that of course throws Prodrive out for using the McLaren, but it also stops Super Aguri, STR, and arguably Force India F1/Sypker, who didn't design the car they have, they simply taped some new aerodynamic parts to a 2004 Jordan chassis.

The fact they based their entire entry on being able to use Mclarens car is really just shortsighted planning isn't it?

The FIA said that 2008 would allow customer cars, and they got a flood of entries. Prodrive was accepted and then the FIA U-Turned and now Prodrive are in the same position any of the other teams would have been. When you are told you can enter a customer car, you plan for a customer car. Prodrive, like all of the entires for the 2008 slot, are not in a position to build a car from scratch for 2008.

They did what the FIA told them would be ok. Now the FIA change there mind and screw them. I hope Prodrive have official papers with it all, because there is grounds for Prodrive being paid damages.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
theRacingLine.net
SportsCarArchives.com

I hope Prodrive have official papers with it all

the answer is:

The FIA said that 2008 would allow customer cars

nothing was written, nothing was signed, FIA just made promise to include the use of customer car into new concored agreement,
but it never happened.

Dave Richards beleived Mosley's promises. Bit naive.

If I remember correctly Prodrive had an option to use Ferrari, Mclaren or Renault chassis. Who knows what could have been if they opted for Ferrari?

---

DaveEllis Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Prodrive should be feeling like they just got raped.

Oh definitely, but in my opinion not for the reasons you've given, but for the fact that Prodrive were told they could submit an application, did so, won out above what seemed like hundreds of others, and were granted an entry to the 2008 season. You don't just take that away 12 months later because you've got cold feet. There are entire businesses, jobs and therefore lives that will suffer because of this.

For the record I'm against the STR and Aguri teams for the same reason. F1's not about manufactured hand-me-downs. It hasn't been for 30 years, and the only reason they're in the sport is because they bent the rules, and Bernie would have a fit if there were only 18 teams, with another 2 who at the time had a rather cloudy future (Renault and Williams). I don't dislike those 2 teams - STR are fun and Aguri gave us so much entertainment last year by frankly walking all over Honda in performance terms - but they still shouldn't be on the grid if they can't design their own cars.

Once Aguri get the honda though, aren't they free to pursue their own development path? The Aguri principle puts them at a disadvantage in a way because the equipment is a year old, but the team can still be classed as a 'constructor' in a way because it develops what it has...

with RB and STR, the STR car is essentially a RB car with STR's horrible livery, and i've not seen any evidence that STR do their own development work separate from RB

and regarding spyker, surely after 3 years there's little of the oriiginal Jordan left on that car? and in a way the team did build the car because when they bought Jordan, they bought all of it's assets (including staff contracts and cars) and just rebranded it...

_______________________________________________________

Team Japan Owner - GPGNC

Gave like Dave said teams, like Williams started off with customer cars.

And maybe one day Aguri will design and make their own car, same goes for STR. I will be annoyed if STR turn up to Melbourne with an identical RBR which is running, and if Aguri turn up with a identical RA108...

Also wasnt the concorde agreement meant to be signed today or yesterday ?? I dont know.

edit - Because all i know is the current one runs out at the end of the year...

Also what do people think about outsides selling chassis to teams. Like ermm, lets say Lola designed a chassis, would it be ok for them to sell it to another team for them to develop it them selves ???

---

"Trulli was slowing down like he wanted to have a picnic" LOL



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/23/2007 06:53PM by chet.

Gave like Dave said teams, like Williams started off with customer cars.

Yeah, but Gavs point is that whilst they did, that isn't what f1 is like anymore, which is fair enough. But at the end of the day, the FIA only got the 2008 entries because they said customer cars would be legal. Had they not said that, there would have been no entries for it at all. Then they accept one of the best motorsport teams in the world, and then give them to no time build a chassis after they change there minds? Even if it isn't on paper, that is a legal matter right there.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
theRacingLine.net
SportsCarArchives.com

So what is going to happen if STR and SA use cars designed and made by RBR and Honda?

---

"Trulli was slowing down like he wanted to have a picnic" LOL

Probably nothing, just like this year.

Another FIA feckup. The list goes on.
I would like to see Prodrive in F1 in 2009 though, hopefully they can get the finaces to fund their own chassis design.