22/12/2005
NEWS STORY
Pitpass has learned - by reading The Guardian and L'Equipe - that Roger Penske is considering returning to F1, should it become economically viable.
The news comes on the back of the FIA's planned regulations for 2008, which see Max Mosley persist with his dream of reducing costs, which will hopefully encourage new teams into the sport.
Talking to L'Equipe, the Englishman said: "If we manage to reduce the costs to 100-120 million dollars, for a reasonable budget, they will come.
Currently, there are large manufacturers, who already spend 300 - 400 million euros, and are prepared to spend even more in their pursuit of the World Championship.
Referring to the threat of a breakaway series, he warned the manufacturers: "If you want to continue to play with us, it is with our rules, because the Formula One World Championship is the one that is trusted.
If you want to remain, you are welcome. If not, you have the right to create your own series.
Penske, one of several potential entrants that Mosley has referred to in recent times, should the cost of competing in F1 fall, ran in F1 in the mid-70s, before returning to the US racing scene, where his team has enjoyed success in CART and then IRL.
Although he didn't name Penske, Mosley dropped a broad hint: "A big private team, very well known in America, recently told Bernie: "We want to join F1, but only if we can do it with a budget of 80 million dollars." he revealed. "Because that is the level at which that team can make a profit.
"There are three, perhaps even four people who are very well known – I’ll leave it to you to guess their names - who want to join F1," he added, "but who are currently unable to because of the costs involved. And if we manage to reduce the costs, to 100 to 120 million dollars (100 million euros), for a reasonable budget, they will come.
"They are independent teams, who therefore have to earn their living from sponsorship. They do not want to lose money in F1".