Richards on his way back

Former BAR boss David Richards moved a step closer to a return to the top today when his Prodrive company unveiled plans for a Formula One-standard factory.

Prodrive, who run Subaru’s world rally team and Aston Martin’s sports car squad, showed off plans for a 200-acre motorsport facility at Honiley in Warwickshire.

A potential base for a future Formula One team is included in the development, which could house as many as 1,000 staff.

Richards has made no secret of his intention to return to Formula One but concedes Prodrive cannot afford such a move until costs are reduced considerably.

World governing body FIA have already laid out plans to do just that, and today’s news suggests Richards and Prodrive are working towards an entry in 2008 - when radical new rules will be brought in.

In confirming the planning application for the new facility, a Prodrive statement boasted of “a motorsport complex which could eventually house a new British Formula One team”.

Richards, who started Prodrive in 1984, believes the new facility – called the Fulcrum – will be an asset to the local area, whether or not his Formula One dream is realised.

“The British automotive and motorsport industries are coming under increasing pressure from competition overseas,” he said.

“By developing the Fulcrum, we can provide high-level technical skills and resources which will help the region’s vehicle manufacturers and motorsport teams succeed and, at the same time, encourage more inward investment to the west midlands.”