Customer Cars

[Alan Raine]

David Richards seems to want to buy complete cars instead of just engines when Prodrive enters F1 and he has approached all the major manufacturers.

Although this might be a cheaper option can they still be competitive. The big teams are hadly going to sell him up to the minute technology and he will always be one step behind.

[Smurfer]

Good question.

I would think this would extend to manufacturers supplying engines as well.

[Bononi]

If he plans do it this way, I guess he'll be fighting for the last positions of the grid...

[ss_collins]

Makes sense - look what Aguri can do with a pile of old Arrows A23's - so think what a 1 or 2 year old Renault could do.

DR is being very sensible

[Rex Judicata]

Originally Posted by Alan Raine

David Richards seems to want to buy complete cars instead of just engines when Prodrive enters F1 and he has approached all the major manufacturers. Although this might be a cheaper option can they still be competitive. The big teams are hadly going to sell him up to the minute technology and he will always be one step behind.

What are his objectives in entering F1?

[Alan Raine]

Originally Posted by Rex Judicata

What are his objectives in entering F1?

To win or to make money?

The Prodrive set up is pretty spectacular so perhaps they will be able to develop existing equipment more than some of the other smaller teams.

[Bononi]

I see it as a first step in a plan of winning in F1.

[jhansen]

Moto GP customer teams have been pretty sucessful. Satelite Honda teams have even won races and contended in championships.

It could work in Formula 1. Although, race wins would be tougher, a customer team could still be a points scorer.

[duke_toaster]

Prodrive definately have the facilites do develop their own car (the fulcrum).

I think that whole hog customer cars should be allowed. This would cut costs and make for bigger grids.

[Rex Judicata]

Originally Posted by Alan Raine

To win or to make money?

The Prodrive set up is pretty spectacular so perhaps they will be able to develop existing equipment more than some of the other smaller teams.

David Richards is no dummy, so I wonder, what are his objectives? If such a document existed, I would love to read his business plan for F1.

[Alan Raine]

Originally Posted by Rex Judicata

David Richards is no dummy, so I wonder, what are his objectives? If such a document existed, I would love to read his business plan for F1.

Wouldn't we all!

[Rex Judicata]

Originally Posted by Alan Raine

Wouldn't we all!

Which makes me think of a similar document for McLaren!

[Bononi]

It must be somewhere in the internet... you can find everything in internet.

[BootsOntheSide]

I'd be fine with seeing completely customer cars again - it would be a much cheaper way for teams to get started in F1, and immediately adds more potentially-competitive cars to the field. Dave Richards has proved in other championship that he knows how to run a strong team.

[Alan Raine]

Originally Posted by BootsOntheSide

I'd be fine with seeing completely customer cars again - it would be a much cheaper way for teams to get started in F1, and immediately adds more potentially-competitive cars to the field. Dave Richards has proved in other championship that he knows how to run a strong team.

I'm in favour of it as it allows new teams to come in without the massive expense. Will they increase the grid size to allow more teams in? I'd much rather see 24 or even up to 30 cars start at some circuits to create a bit more interest at the back, but I can't see Bernie allowing that!

Dave Richards is a very shrewd operator. Having seen what happened to Tom Walkinshaw, I can see why he might want to go this route. Perhaps it's not a bad idea to run customer cars, until the team is established, but to win or win consistently they may to build and develop their own.

[Gt_R]

I believe that Dave Richards is in F1 to succeed.

First, i must say that i have great admiration for the managing ability of DR, who already proven himself by leading Prodrive to success in various forms of motorsports. It is completely insane to believe that Prodrive's main and primary motivation to join F1 is to make money.

In my opinion, DR is probably aware that starting F1 is a huge investment, and a new team faces a huge amount of challenges. Unless you work with a good base and foundation, you would struggle very long.

DR is taking what he believes to be the shortest way and most cost effective way of moving up the grid. By securing customer cars,
1) Acquire technology - the engineers can learn the technology and adapt to the complete make up of an up-to-date F1 car.
2) Focus - the team has to bond and sort out the administrative, logistics, and the operation of a team. For a small team with limited expenses and resources, they have to minimise distractions while putting the various aspects in place.

Once everything is in place, after a couple of seasons, Prodrive would try to do more things on their own and less reliant on manufacturers. If it proves to be really successful, only then would they turn into a full fledge independent team that manufacture all key components on their own.

engine and chassis are major and expensive developments which i think would be best to be procured from a manufacturer. Too many teams had tried and failed by taking the easy or quick way in the past.

And success isn't really just purely wins. I reckon a consistent run of podiums, some poles and real contenders to WCC would be remarkable for Prodrive in 5years.

[Rex Judicata]

Originally Posted by Gt_R

I believe that Dave Richards is in F1 to succeed.

First, i must say that i have great admiration for the managing ability of DR, who already proven himself by leading Prodrive to success in various forms of motorsports. It is completely insane to believe that Prodrive's main and primary motivation to join F1 is to make money.

In my opinion, DR is probably aware that starting F1 is a huge investment, and a new team faces a huge amount of challenges. Unless you work with a good base and foundation, you would struggle very long.

DR is taking what he believes to be the shortest way and most cost effective way of moving up the grid. By securing customer cars,
1) Acquire technology - the engineers can learn the technology and adapt to the complete make up of an up-to-date F1 car.
2) Focus - the team has to bond and sort out the administrative, logistics, and the operation of a team. For a small team with limited expenses and resources, they have to minimise distractions while putting the various aspects in place.

Once everything is in place, after a couple of seasons, Prodrive would try to do more things on their own and less reliant on manufacturers. If it proves to be really successful, only then would they turn into a full fledge independent team that manufacture all key components on their own.

engine and chassis are major and expensive developments which i think would be best to be procured from a manufacturer. Too many teams had tried and failed by taking the easy or quick way in the past.

And success isn't really just purely wins. I reckon a consistent run of podiums, some poles and real contenders to WCC would be remarkable for Prodrive in 5years.

Sounds reasonable to me! Certainly, he will not be entering F1 with rose colored glasses. If Richard's first step is tentative, does that mean he is not committed to the venture?

[chillibowl]

i seem to recall there being some opposition to DR's planned expansion of the The Fulcrum by the local residents and what not. i do remember seeing the proposed plans in Autosport some time back suggesting that the new expansion would include new design and r&d offices meant for F1 development.

anyways my point is just that is it not possible such delays have made the need for a customer deal neccessary rather than his preferred course of action. without the facilites they just dont have a choice now.

on a side note - it was their facilites that got them this spot on the grid, if they dont have it now and they just plan on using someone elses chassis, do they still merit their 2008 entry? personally i was hoping for a truely independent entry.

[Bononi]

As I said, I believe that's the first step in a project to become a winning team.