Pollock: Simon switch absolutely transparent

Craig Pollock has responded to criticism from Renault Sport F1, claiming that Gilles Simon will not carry any intellectual property to his PURE engine company. On Thursday it was confirmed that the Frenchman has joined the Switzerland-based outfit as Technical Director, having previously been Formula 1 governing body the FIA’s Technical and Powertrain Director.

Prior to the confirmation that F1 will switch to 1.6-litre, V6 turbocharged engines from 2014, Simon worked closely with all engine manufacturers through his role with the FIA. With this in mind, rival companies – Renault in particular – claim that his switch to PURE could hand Pollock’s firm an unfair advantage.

“Well, you know, I think everybody is entitled to have a reaction," PURE Chief Executive Pollock exclusively told GPUpdate.net on Saturday afternoon. “On the other hand, any manufacturer like us could have signed Gilles Simon. They are all there, they all look for the best people they can possibly get and that’s all we’ve done. All we have done is to try and hire the best people to make sure that the engine is going to be competitive.

“So okay, fair enough; I understand their position but Gilles Simon has been working with all of the manufacturers to build up new engine regulations and everything has been absolutely transparent. So I don’t see he is coming with any extra knowledge other than what has been discussed by everybody around a table."

When asked about PURE’s general progress, Pollock explained:

“Things are going very well at the moment. I am meeting Bernie (Ecclestone, head of commercial rights holder FOM) just after qualifying but there’s nothing more I can do at the moment. Technical presentations will soon be made by Gilles."