Lola, the company that produced one of the least successful championship entries in recent history is planning a new assault on the F1 grid, taking advantage of the 2010 cost-capping regulations. With hilarious consequences.
The company, whose name has been absent from global single-seater racing since the mothballing of their long-serving Champ Car chassis at the end of 2006 and the loss of the A1GP chassis contract at the start of this season, has confirmed that they are committing to a complete evaluation of an F1 project from the start of next season.Although the works Lola Mastercard team fell flat on it's face in the 1997 season, "competing" in just one event, failing to qualify, and then leaving the sport, the company has a longer history of better success in F1 as a customer chassis builder, scoring points with the Yeoman Racing outfit in the early 60s and becoming a regular points finisher in the mid 1980s with Team Haas.
The announcement from Lola follows the news from earlier in the year of the Peter Windsor-led USF1 team, also preparing to join the grid in 2010. In all, eight teams have apparently expressed an interest in entering F1 from next year, using the FIA's planned rules allowing teams to operate under a £30 million budget cap, and using a standard engine provided by Cosworth. After nearly dropping to 18 entries for this year, it is not implausible that F1 will have more teams than grid slots for next season.
Lola chairman Martin Birrane, who bought the company in 1997 after the the F1 team collapsed, says that this is the right time for the famous motorsport name to return to the grid.
"The announcement that teams may opt for a prudent, financially responsible 'cost-capped' regime from 2010 has resulted in us deciding to fully evaluate the opportunity to develop a car to compete in the FIA Formula One World Championship," Birrane shouted at the media today, "The current necessity for F1 to adopt a responsible approach in times of economic uncertainty has created the ideal conditions for us to consider developing a car for the world championship."
The company's main sporting responsibilities are in providing the chassis for the new Aston Martin entry in European sportscar racing, but the extensive facilities available to the company means that they could easily incorporate a full-time F1 effort. It is understood that Lola have already recruited dedicated engineering and design personnel to help set up the squad.
"Lola possesses the technical resources, capability and know-how to develop cars capable of competing at the very highest levels of international motor sport, including F1," Birrane bragged smugly, "We are therefore embracing the WMSC's timely announcements and assessing a relevant programme for F1 with a view to making a formal entry in the coming weeks."
Sponsorship from Mastercard and a decision to not bother testing their car in a wind tunnel are expected to follow in the coming months. Probably.
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|
