Lola may return to F1

[blacktulip]

British racing car manufacturer Lola is considering a return to Formula 1 under the new budget-capped regime set to be introduced next year.

The Cambridgeshire-based company, which had an abortive foray into F1 in 1997 after many years as a chassis supplier, said the low-cost route being charted by the FIA had prompted it to seriously evaluate the feasibility of re-entering the sport as a manufacturer team.

Under plans ratified last month by the FIA World Motor Sport Council, from 2010 F1 teams will have the choice of adhering to a £30m budget cap in return for greater design freedoms, or continuing to spend freely within the current restrictive technical rules.

The budget cap option is designed to entice new teams into the sport and Lola’s executive chairman Martin Birrane said it provided a realistic basis on which his company could contemplate fielding an F1 entry.

“The announcement that Formula 1 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,” said Birrane.


From ITV sport

[f1diva]

Great to hear so much fresh, or in this case revitalised interest in F1. Im thinking Lola's plans could involve Prodrive. Lola have said they are looking at a number of options and surely they have to be one of them. Would love to see a full 24 car grid again.

F1diva

[knightelcid]

I have also heard about Aston Martin joining the pack. Since the budget is going to be significantly decreased more car companies may take the jump into the sport.

[digital_F1]

There was even reports of VW and maybe Audi a few years ago, joining the F1 circus, but obviously nothing happened.
Would really love to see an Aston Martin team though.

[blacktulip]

how about a jag team, ford team. audi........ every team that joins the circus means better racing, :0