Prodrive join F1 grid

David Richards’ Prodrive outfit will join the Formula One grid from 2008, world governing body the FIA have confirmed.

Prodrive were expected to join all 11 current teams in the reshaped championship from 2008 and their presence was announced in a statement this morning.

Richards, a former boss of the Benetton and BAR teams, will return to Formula One as head of Prodrive, who already run Subaru’s world rally team.

As expected, all 11 existing teams, including recent newcomers Super Aguri, are included on the entry list.

The FIA’s announcement brings disappointment for a number of ex-Formula One bosses looking to return to the top. Former Minardi owner Paul Stoddart, BAR co-founder Craig Pollock and Eddie Jordan were all among those to submit entries.

FIA president Max Mosley hailed Prodrive as the natural choice to join the Formula One elite.

Richards already knows the sport from his days as Benetton and BAR chief and Mosley revealed the Welshman has found sufficient funding to make it to Formula One.

He said: “Prodrive have the best combination of financial backing, technical capability and motorsport experience and are well known to the FIA through their participation in the World Rally Championship.

“Also, Prodrive’s chief executive David Richards has experience as a Formula One team principal.”

The decision on who will form the grid from 2008 was taken by the FIA’s world council, who, according to Mosley, never seriously considered dropping any of the current teams.

He added: “The world council concurred that there was no reason not to accept the current teams as they are already in the championship and have confirmed their ability to compete effectively.

“Prodrive were chosen mainly because of their financial position, capabilities and experience.”

Today’s announcements leaves well-developed bids from the likes of Carlin Motorsport and the Jean Alesi-led Direxiv outfit disappointed.

Direxiv, who hoped to join Formula One with help from McLaren, have still not given up hope of finding a way in but Mosley believes the grid will not expand beyond 12 teams.

“The limit of 12 teams was imposed for safety reasons and circuit facilities, pit garages, etc, are designed for this number,” he said.

“It would be very difficult to enlarge the facilities and we would also have to look very carefully at the safety issue. The number is unlikely to increase.”

FORMULA ONE GRID 2008

RENAULT

Based: Enstone, Great Britain and Viry-Chatillion, France.

First F1 start: 1977.

Wins: 55 (27 as Benetton).

Titles: 5 (Three as Benetton).

McLAREN

Based: Woking, Great Britain.

First F1 start: 1966.

Wins: 148.

Titles: 19.

FERRARI

Based: Maranello, Italy.

First F1 start: 1950.

Wins: 184.

Titles: 28.

TOYOTA

Based: Cologne, Germany.

First F1 start: 2002.

Wins: 0.

Titles: 0.

WILLIAMS

Based: Grove, Great Britain.

First F1 start: 1973.

Wins: 113.

Titles: 16.

HONDA

Based: Brackley, Great Britain.

First F1 start: 1964.

Wins: 2.

Titles: 0.

RED BULL RACING

Based: Milton Keynes, Great Britain.

First F1 start: 1997 (as Stewart).

Wins: 1 (as Stewart).

Titles: 0.

BMW-SAUBER

Based: Hinwil, Switzerland and Munich, Germany.

First F1 start: 1993 (as Sauber).

Wins: 0.

Titles: 0.

MIDLAND

Based: Silverstone, Great Britain.

First F1 start: 1991 (as Jordan).

Wins: 4 (all as Jordan).

Titles: 0.

SCUDERIA TORO ROSSO

Based: Faenza, Italy.

First F1 start: 1985 (as Minardi).

Wins: 0.

Titles: 0.

SUPER AGURI

Based: Leafield, Great Britain.

First F1 start: 2006.

Wins: 0.

Titles: 0.

PRODRIVE

Based: Banbury, Great Britain.

First F1 start: n/a.

Wins: n/a.

Titles: n/a.