Prodrive will enter formula one in 2008 with a budget of around $80 million, according to the ‘BusinessF1′ magazine.
Run by former BAR-Honda principal David Richards, the Warwickshire based outfit’s potential sponsors are, however, not known.
The estimated budget apparently also does not include the drivers’ bill, which could up the price by several more millions.
Contrasted with a recent analysis, the $80m figure would make Prodrive nearly the poorest team. It is estimated that Super Aguri spent about $95m in 2006, while the budgets for Spyker and Toro Rosso came in at approximately $76m and $66m.
In other reports of monetary matters within the grand prix clique, it is understood that Williams – despite underperforming in the last of a six-year collaboration with BMW – actually showed record profits of $60m in 2005.
The good figures, unveiled in the Grove based company’s annual accounts, can be attributed to the compensation paid by its former engine supplier and Jenson Button for breaching contracts.
GMMF1
DailyF1News.com
