Richards taking the customer route with new teamThe identity of Prodrive's chassis and engine partner for 2008 will be revealed 'within the next three months', the boss of Formula One's new twelfth team has said.
David Richards reiterated at the Autosport International
in Birmingham that he intends to take advantage of controversial new rules next year that allow the purchase of a rival's complete F1 car.
Referring to the announcement of Prodrive's 'partner team', rumoured to be McLaren Mercedes, the Briton told ITV: "I would hope that would be within the next three months.
"And following that, and during that period even, we will start to announce some key appointments - the first one will be announced in a couple of weeks' time."
Richards also suggested that the appointment of Prodrive's driver line-up will wait until the finalisation of its partner team, giving credence to rumours that the McLaren-contracted Gary Paffett could be at the top of the list.
Having missed out on a race drive or primary McLaren test role for 2007, Paffett may have to accept a seat at the wheel of a year-old Mercedes this year in DTM.
Works Mercedes DTM racer Jamie Green said in Birmingham on Saturday that 2007 is a 'stopgap' season for Paffett. He added: "Gary has made it clear that his aim is F1."
Source GMM
