15/04/2010
NEWS STORY
In what looks suspiciously like a pre-arranged agreement, hours after Prodrive announced that it would not be applying for a grid slot in 2011, Lola has followed suit.
In a surprise move, both teams were rejected when they applied for entries on the 2010 grid, the FIA, in its infinite wisdom, instead opting for Campos, Manor and USF1, all three teams having agreed to use Cosworth powerplants.
With the FIA having invited applications for 2011, Lola has now announced that - like Prodrive - it is to focus on other areas of motorsport.
In a brief statement issued today, the British company said:
Lola announces today that it will not pursue an entry application for Formula One in 2011. Lola will continue to remain a technology supplier to Formula One via its Technical Centre and manufacturing facilities in Huntingdon. Several other key industries, including Aerospace, Motorsport, Automotive and Defence, will continue to be serviced by Lola's commercially available technical capabilities.
Lola are also set for their largest entry at Le Mans for thirty years in June when at least nine Lola designed and built LMP cars race in the 24 Hours. The first race of the European sports car season last weekend saw Lola finish 2nd and 3rd overall at the Paul Ricard 8 Hours event.
Executive Chairman and owner, Martin Birrane said: "A 2010 entry under the cost capped and performance balanced criteria was perfect for Lola. We already have F1 standard facilities at our headquarters in Huntingdon. Sadly our well-developed 2010 F1 project, which included a significant wind tunnel programme, had to be frozen in June 2009. The recently announced applications for 2011 has left us with insufficient time to prepare for what would be a quite different programme."
Lola Managing Director, Robin Brundle, added: "Lola looks forward to strengthening its working partnerships with existing F1 Teams and the rich variety of customers throughout the Lola portfolio".