Aston Martin's new owner revealed.

[briancl]

Originally Posted by imageWIS

I must have missed that, but where did the idea that Prodrive is at all interested in F1 come up?

Jon.

Maybe they became interested in 2006 when they were granted entrance for the 2008 F1 season.

Prodrive also builds race cars for auto manufacturers. The relationships are not entirely known, but its clear that the manufacturers supply homologated production cars to be built by Prodrive and entered in international motorsports (FIA WRC, Le Mans, various GT series). They've built race spec Ferrari's and Aston Martin's and are pretty well known for the WRC Subaru Rally car.

 

[imageWIS]

Originally Posted by briancl

Maybe they became interested in 2006 when they were granted entrance for the 2008 F1 season.

Prodrive also builds race cars for auto manufacturers. The relationships are not entirely known, but its clear that the manufacturers supply homologated production cars to be built by Prodrive and entered in international motorsports (FIA WRC, Le Mans, various GT series). They've built race spec Ferrari's and Aston Martin's and are pretty well known for the WRC Subaru Rally car.

Well the Aston and Subaru connections I already knew about, esp. since the P2 is based on a WRX. I had no idea about the F1 entrance; but they haven't announced yet, have they?

Jon.

 

[Roikins]

Originally Posted by imageWIS

Well the Aston and Subaru connections I already knew about, esp. since the P2 is based on a WRX. I had no idea about the F1 entrance; but they haven't announced yet, have they?

Jon.

It's on their website:
Prodrive F1

"Prodrive has already made plans to house its Formula One team in a new purpose-built operation in Warwickshire. This is part of a larger development to support the UK's automotive and motorsport industries and is still subject to planning permission. Should this be granted, construction would commence at the end of this year. In the meantime, Prodrive will run the F1 programme from its existing facilities."

 

[Roikins]

Originally Posted by DarkNWorn

Prodrive isn't involved because they didn't buy it. The money was from two Kuwaiti investment groups. With that said, there'll probably be some collaborations later.

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/to...cle1505788.ece

Exactly... I think it definitely it speaks of a future colaboration. Prodrive is already offering a package through Aston to beef up the V8 Vantage.

 

[Joffrey]

I suppose the Prodrive connection would be stronger if someone mentioned whether Dave Richards put any money into the buyout as well. Otherwise, he may very well just help the investment group move the carmaker forward ( he was at the helm when BAR-Honda F1 (old name) had their best year in 2004)

Note: I didn't click on the links, so excuse any ignorance.

 

[DMcG]

For what its worth David Richards is saying that Prodrive wants to go into F1 with an existing team and that the Aston Martin deal has nothing to do with their F1 intentions.

http://www.autosport.com/news/grapevine.php/id/57255

 

[Christofuh]