Cosworth is unlikely to return to formula one as an engine supplier, according to Sir Jackie Stewart.
The triple world champion, who won all three of his drivers’ titles with Cosworth’s famous DFV power plant, says the core of the Northamptonshire based company’s formula one people have departed since the end of last season.
Cosworth, the last independent engine maker on the formula one grid, was left without a team partner at the end of 2006 when Williams and Toro Rosso switched respectively to Toyota and Ferrari power.
“Companies come and go, it’s true,” Stewart, 68, told the Evening Telegraph newspaper.
“But it was just a shame that Cosworth, who have contributed so much, couldn’t stay in F1,” he added.
Through its now-defunct collaboration with Ford, Cosworth supplied Stewart’s own team with works engines in the late 90s, winning the 1999 European grand prix.
But the famous Scot admits that the British company, which was sold to Champ Car co-owners Gerald Forsythe and Kevin Kalkhoven when Ford and Jaguar pulled out of F1 at the end of 2004, is unlikely to return to the pinnacle of motor sport.
“It’s not impossible for them to come back,” he said. “But the trouble is most of the good people have gone now.
“I was a big, big fan of Cosworth. I won 25 out of my 27 grand prix with a Cosworth engine. Great people. Great company,” Stewart added.
