[Nick Koan]

Official!

http://www.crash.net/news_View~t~Pro...~id~127553.htm

As has been widely expected for several weeks, Prodrive has confirmed that it submitted an entry for the 2008 Formula One world championship on the final day for applications.

Company chairman David Richards has 'enjoyed' previous F1 experience with both Benetton and BAR, but has made no secret of running his own team, under the Prodrive banner, without admitting that he was planning to lodge an entry for 2008, even though he has often referred to the advent of the extended Concorde Agreement as the ideal time for privateers to get involved in what has become a largely manufacturer-led series.

Prodrive, renowned as en engineering company, has already tasted success in rallying, with Subaru, sportscars, with both Ferrari and Aston Martin, and V8 Supercars in Australia, with Ford, but Formula One remains unconquered territory for the ambitious firm.

"Formula One is still regarded as the pinnacle of motorsport and therefore a natural next step for Prodrive," Richards confirmed, "While we may be a very large company in motorsport terms, we are very much a minnow in comparison to the vehicle manufacturers who currently dominate the sport. However, on the basis of the new regulations being proposed by the FIA, we believe the time is now right for us to take this next step."

Prodrive's ambitions took one step closer to reality when Richards unveiled plans to revamp its Honiley site to include a series of design, R&D and workshop facilities suitable for Formula One use - although the company played down the belief that a team was planned at that stage. The project is still subject to planning permission but, should it be granted, construction would commence at the end of the year. Prior to completion, the company intends to run the F1 programme from its existing facilities.

"The next few months will see the clarification of the rules for 2008 and, should our entry be accepted, we would aim to play a constructive part in determining the new rules with the objective of creating an environment where private teams, without access to the massive resources of the vehicle manufacturers, can once again be competitive - a situation we believe will be far healthier for the long term future of F1," Richards explained.

He continued by revealing that further details of the proposed programme would be confirmed should Prodrive be included on the definitive entry list to be issued by the FIA on 28 April.

Although Prodrive boasts possibly the best credentials of all those known to have submitted an entry, Richards will find himself up against former Minardi boss Paul Stoddart and, possibly, his predecessor at BAR, Craig Pollock, both of whom have been connected to entries.

Stoddart has made no secret of his desire to return to the top flight after selling up to Red Bull's Scuderia Toro Rosso for 2006, but Pollock has been more elusive when asked to confirm his plans.