F1’s twelfth team, Prodrive, could kick off its inaugural season in 2008 as a sort of McLaren ‘B’ team, it has emerged.
The outfit’s principal, David Richards – who accompanied technical boss David Lapworth to Magny Cours – pointedly refused to dismiss the scenario in conversation with ‘Racer’ magazine.
”I wouldn’t rule that out,” he said.
With the Jean Alesi-involved ‘Direxiv’ operation now dead in the water, Richards’ team could inherit McLaren’s willingness to sell a complete Mercedes-Benz-powered package to a customer team.
Richards suggested that Prodrive, short of money and time, might be an ideal partner for Ron Dennis’ ‘B’ ambition.
The Briton said: ”We’re looking in the short term to see what partnerships might be established in the medium term to make us competitive in the first two years.
”If a competitive package came along as a turn-key operation I would certainly consider that.”gmmf1 dailyf1news.com
