Prodrive GP team

Richards silent on Prodrive's future

Prodrive keeps quiet over GP details – for now.

Auto Express Car Reviews

24th September 2007

THE all-new Prodrive grand prix team won’t be able to reveal details of its future until F1 sorts out the way it is to be governed.

GP bosses are currently arguing over revisions to the Concorde Agreement, the document which sets out the rules of F1, and how payment for TV revenue is allocated. Until he knows how much money the outfit is likely to receive in 2008, team boss David Richards (above) says he can’t confirm too much about his team.

Richards said “We are there with the rest of the detail, but there are lots of issues surrounding the validity of the Concorde Agreement.” Prodrive has apparently concluded a deal with McLaren-Mercedes to run the under fire British team’s cars from the start of next season. It means McLaren’s test driver Gary Paffett is likely to make his grand prix debut.

Meanwhile, Richards survived his own helicopter crash the day after Colin McRae’s (see Page 88). The transmission in his chopper broke near Stansted Airport in Essex. Richards managed to land on the helicopter’s side. He and his wife escaped unscathed.