Aston Martin to join F1 circus in 2012?
It looks like GT and Le Mans prototype racing may be just the beginning for Aston Martin. Following an agreement this week with F1 promotions boss, Bernie Ecclestone, Aston Martin could be jumping into the Formula One ranks in 2012. Like Aston's other race programs, it's F1 campaign will be operated by Prodrive, although the team will actually launch in 2010 as the Prodrive team then switch to the automaker's branding two years later.
The new team will apparently cooperate with McLaren-Mercedes, but Prodrive will build the cars at its Banbury factory. The new cars will use customer engines from another manufacturer, but they will wear Aston Martin badging. The team already has two primary sponsors including Aston Martin majority owner Investment Dar. Prodrive boss Dave Richards acknowledged that the deal to enter F1 was only possible because of the budget caps that are being imposed beginning in 2010.
[Source: AutoCar]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
BoxerFanatic 9:56AM (5/29/2009)
Why would someone want to jump into that mess...
And why would someone put a picture of a Porsche open-wheel car on a story about Aston Martin....
Just questions....
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bn 10:01AM (5/29/2009)
Cause apparently now starting 2011, joining that "mess" will only cost you 45 million euros a year. Cheap for the pinnacle of motorsports!
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jrhmobile 10:26AM (5/29/2009)
So, doesn't that "cheapen" the pinnacle of motorsports?
aaron 10:10AM (5/29/2009)
"The new team will apparently cooperate with McLaren-Mercedes, but Prodrive will build the cars at its Banbury factory. The new cars will use customer engines from another manufacturer..."
The above kind of explains why I was wondering how Aston was able to afford to get into into the fray even with the cap. But it doesn't explain why it will be eventually branded Aston Martins w/ engines from one place and yet "cooperate" with McLaren-Mercedes. Maybe the rumored alliance with Mercedes when it comes to production cars has something to do with it? Like Mercedes engines in AMs?
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Gavin Brown 6:48PM (5/30/2009)
Firstly, that's Dan Guerney in a Porsche.
Secondly, that story is almost a day old. Aston Martin officially submitted their entry around Friday Lunchtime (CET)!
C'mon guys!!! At least look like you care about your F1 coverage and don't just do it because you have to...!
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Carl 10:15AM (5/29/2009)
And for this announcement you use a photo of Dan Gurney driving a 1962 Porsche Typ 804 GP car?
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John Johnson 10:20AM (5/29/2009)
Nerd.
Philthy 12:22PM (5/29/2009)
No, like this: NEEEEERRRRRRDDDDD!
Carl 12:29PM (5/29/2009)
I know, what I know, what I know... borrowed and altered from Turk Turkelton.
John Johnson 10:20AM (5/29/2009)
They'll be there racing Brawn GP and Force India. Woot.
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Sam 10:29AM (5/29/2009)
So they'll be challenging for first and last?
Eric 10:39AM (5/29/2009)
Actually, taken from Autosport:
"All the current Formula 1 teams have submitted their entries to the FIA for the 2010 championship, FOTA confirmed on Friday."
UberSil 12:20AM (5/30/2009)
No, no, no...
Can someone please tie down the guy who decides that Merc engines should go into AM's?
AM engines just started getting really good in the past decade with their ability to finally build a trustworthy supercharger.
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dr61 10:46AM (5/29/2009)
Great picture - Takes me back to when I was 16 and traveling in Europe. I was at the French Gran Prix at Rouen in 1962 when Dan won in a Porsche - its first GP win.
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audi_arena 11:20AM (5/29/2009)
I would really love to see a grid of ONLY factory-backed F1 teams. Let all the privateers find new manufacturers to get behind and build up thier programs. The fans would love it because it would be much easier to follow than the current drama-fest.
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Cougs 11:35AM (5/29/2009)
Bernie Eccelstone: All your F1 team are belong to us.
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