Prodrive Become Formula One's 12th Team

David Richards's Prodrive organisation was yesterday confirmed by the FIA as having been accepted as the 12th team to enter the 2008 formula one world championship as a new recruit alongside the existing 11 teams.

Prodrive was selected from a list of 11 prospective new entrants and will spend the next 18 months establishing the necessary infrastructure to field a formula one operation from a planned new factory on Honiley Aerodrome near Warwick. Richards is currently pursuing planning permission for a state-of-the-art new factory from which to run the new team and admits that he has been attracted into competing by the planned new technical regulations which should significantly reduce the costs involved.

"The 2008 season will see a radical change in the formula one regulations," said Richards, "and from what I have seen that is already on the table, I think it is realistic for a team like Prodrive to face the challenge of entering the sport with a good chance of fielding a competitive team.

"We obviously have a lot to do in the next 18 months including completing the factory, recruiting the appropriate people, securing an engine supply contract and, eventually, signing up some drivers."

Richards first became involved in formula one in 1997 when he spent a year as Benetton team principal, then again at the end of 2001 he assumed a similar role with the BAR-Honda squad where he was responsible for recruiting Jenson Button, who joined the team in 2003 after being replaced in the Renault ranks by Fernando Alonso.

Richards said that he was in no position to discuss who might eventually drive for the team but he said that Prodrive was committed to formula one on a long-term basis. "The idea is to be contesting grands prix for the long haul," he said. "It will enhance the Prodrive brand and benefit our other businesses but it is success that we are after primarily."