Nissan, Prost, consider F1 team
'Sky Sports' floated the concept of deals with Nissan and even Aston Martin, but the spokesperson said: "We are continuing discussions with potential partners but we are not in a position to divulge the exact nature of these discussions, nor the parties involved."
The Nissan rumors – including the possible involvement of former champion and team owner Alain Prost – arose in a report of the French newspaper Le Journal du Dimanche, while speculation about British carmaker Aston Martin has been building with its forays in Le Mans and GT racing.
It is suggested that Aston Martin might link up with Cosworth to re-badge its unused V8 engine.
Prodrive's spokesperson also denied reports of a possible sale to another grand prix entrant, while confirming that the strategy is still to pair up with an existing team to buy both chassis and engine.
11/02/06 There have been rumors in recent days suggesting that Nissan may want to invest in Formula 1 in the near future. There is some logic in the idea if Nissan could acquire an F1 franchise – although these are few and far between. The only logical one available is if Prodrive cannot get its act together. That is not very likely given, if faced by a Nissan proposal, David Richards would try to negotiate a deal for his company rather than simply sell and run. The other option would be to try to persuade everyone to increase the number of cars on the grid – and it is hard to see that happening as it would mean all kind of fights over prize money.
If a franchise could be found, the logic would be for a Nissan team to be a Renault B team as this would cut out the need to spend years investing and developing and would give the best value for money, something which Renault-Nissan boss Carlos Ghosn is famed for chasing.
The problem with this idea is that Renault would have to overcome internal doubts about the idea as the Renault F1 engineers would advise against such a situation as it could affect the team's performance. It is not impossible but it would be a risk.
The option would be for a branding switch to Renault but this makes little sense as Renault still wants to benefit from its F1 involvement
The concept of putting Alain Prost in charge is a nice idea but his reputation as a team leader took a serious hit when his own team collapsed with huge debts in 2000 and it is hard to imagine him making any form of F1 comeback.
Nissan could do an in-house project – there is plenty of serious sporting technology already available from Nismo – but that goes back to the problem of the franchise. Who is going to sell? Grandprix.com
10/30/06 (GMM) New speculation suggests that the Nissan brand might unite with the world of Formula One racing in the near future.
Also reporting a link between the Japanese carmaker and former team owner Alain Prost, French newspaper 'Le Journal du Dimanche' said Nissan could join the grand prix grid in 2008.
Prost, also a former four time world champion, has reportedly already spoken with Nissan and Renault CEO Carlos Ghosn about the project, after his own team was liquidated in 2001.
Nissan's corporate vice-president Simon Sproule is quoted by the newspaper as admitting that F1 is 'an option'.
"Right now we are involved in regional championships in Japan, the US and in Africa. We have studied the possibility to invest in a worldwide competition," he added.
Sproule said Nissan personnel have attended several grands prix to 'observe, learn and understand the discipline's finer details'.
Rumors earlier this year indicated that Renault were considering simply changing the name of its Formula One team to Nissan.