McLaren to help Force India team
McLaren boss Ron Dennis made clear at the Chinese grand prix that despite talks about a technical partnership with the independent Silverstone based team, a definitive deal has not yet been sealed.
But among Dennis' colleagues in team bosses meetings, the situation is fairly clear.
"As I understand it, Force India has for the coming year secured a customer car from McLaren," Toro Rosso co-owner Gerhard Berger is quoted as saying by the Cologne newspaper Express.
A Force India-McLaren deal is undoubtedly of great interest to Berger, whose team similarly uses a car built by another team (Red Bull).
Currently, the rules are due to change in 2010, when customer teams must become full constructors.
But we reported recently that the topic is now in a state of flux, with Bernie Ecclestone wanting to allow teams involved in F1 for more than a decade to be allowed to share technology.
"If Bernie's proposal actually goes through, I think it will be excellent for all independent teams and bring down costs substantially," Vijay Mallya, whose Force India team is currently powered by a customer Ferrari engine, said.
10/12/08 (GMM) A deal to see Mercedes engines and other McLaren support could be in place with a customer team in the "next few days", Ron Dennis said at Fuji Speedway.
Speculation on the verge of the Japanese grand prix this weekend suggests the Woking based team is in detailed talks with Force India, and perhaps another private team, about a collaboration for 2009.
"Some form of collaboration might unfold during the next few days," Dennis confirmed to the Daily Telegraph newspaper.
"Our objective is to help F1 at every opportunity. One of these entails assisting an independent team and that will be given serious consideration."
10/09/08 The McLaren-Mercedes and Force India F1 teams are currently negotiating a possible deal in which the former will supply both teams with engines and technical assistance, 'autosport' reports. This despite the Indian team having an engine supply contract with the Scuderia Ferrari until the end of 2010.
"Should we be in a position to cooperate with an independent team and should such a cooperation make economic sense, we would be prepared to do so. Nothing has been decided yet, but we are engaged in various discussions and will inform the media of their outcome as soon as we are able to do so," said a McLaren spokesperson to 'autosport', confirming the ongoing discussions between the two teams. "We are also in discussions with, and seeking the guidance of, FIA president Max Mosley in connection with the matter."