15/10/2005
NEWS STORY
In his efforts to increase the size of the F1 field, and probably get more teams signed up to the new Concorde Agreement, Bernie Ecclestone has admitted that he is prepared to act as the guarantor for a new team wishing to enter F1 using another team's old chassis.
In what appears to be a bid entirely separate to the much talked about Honda venture, Ecclestone is talking of a team being put together, by a former team principal, which would purchase 'off the shelf' chassis from an existing team. It's understood that the money would originate from the Middle East.
Ironically, at a time when F1 is bidding farewell to the last of the (relative) privateers - Sauber, Minardi and Jordan - Ecclestone is hoping to bring in at least one smaller non-manufacturing team.
"They have been to see me and it is an interesting idea," he told The Times. "I have always said that the sport needs new blood and this team will surprise many people. They have serious money and serious intentions so we should help them if we can."
Quite how the existing teams will react is unclear. However, other than the fact that the current Concorde Agreement forbids the selling/purchasing of 'off the shelf packages, there is the small matter of fixing a price - assuming one can find a team willing to sell - and then finding the engines.
Teams running customer chassis used to be the backbone of F1, it's how Williams started (running Brabhams) and how McLaren, and Mosley's own March, made their money.
However, the sport has moved on, and Ecclestone, who was always keen to boot the garagistes out and welcome the manufacturers with open arms, faces a difficult task. Faced with a possible split, a couple more 'friendly' teams to be added to the 2008 grid, along with Ferrari, Midland F1, Red Bull and Squadra Whatsitsname might be the ideal solution. However, it remains to be seen how the F1 supremo will convince the existing teams that it's a good thing.