Todt’s next move F1
Nicolas Todt, joint-team principal of the highly successful GP2 ART Grand Prix team, has hinted at a possible future venture into Formula 1.
ART, run by Frédéric Vasseur and Todt, currently operates in the main GP2 championship and the GP2 Asia Series, as well as Formula Three. The squad, which was founded in 2005, is highly respected, due not only to its various championship successes, but also for its development of drivers.
The next step for Todt, son of former Ferrari F1 boss Jean, is likely to be an entry into GP3, a new championship which is due to be launched next year as a feeder series to GP2.
“There are many synergies between F3 and GP2, because if an F3 driver wins with us, it makes sense for him to stay with us for GP2, like with Lewis Hamilton, with Romain Grosjean, with Nico Hulkenberg," Todt told GPWeek.
"It’s a great company with very capable people and now we have to develop the company. We are in three championships, with F3, GP2 and GP2 Asia, and I hope we do something else next year. We are talking about GP3, so I hope we will be able to do that."
Todt was linked to a potential buyout of the Toro Rosso team last season, before he swiftly rubbished the rumors. However, he admits that the F1's determination to drastically continue to lower costs has made the possibly of heading for the world's top open-wheel category a much more attractive prospect.
“Obviously when you are in this business you always dream of Formula 1, but the gap between Formula 1 and GP2 is too big," he said, "But I have always said that if they are able to cut the costs drastically, because at the end of the day Formula 1 is a passion and a sport but it has also got to be profitable, because if you do a job you don’t want to lose money, then I would think about it.
“But if I go to Formula 1, my goal is not to survive, it is to do well in terms of results and in terms of economics."
Referring to the FIA's latest proposals, which call for budget capping to be introduced, Todt concluded: “The recent decisions, which are not yet finalized, go in the right direction, and I think that in the future it will be much more doable, to have your own team.
"So if things go like that and they take that direction, then I will consider that." Setanta