Prodrive has given assurances that its talks with McLaren over using their chassis are progressing well and that they will be on the grid next year. What amuses me about Prodrive's press release, however, is their assertion that McLaren is only one of three options available to them. Yes, of course they have options (maybe) but who would want anything other than a McLaren at the moment?
Gary Paffett in the McLaren
For a small team to enter the game with a front-running chassis is going to be a bit of a shock to the other teams. If Honda are embarrassed now, imagine how they will feel next year. And that might mean there will be more difficulty than expected in the customer car regulation being accepted for 2008. Mighty Max supports it, we know, but some of the teams are bound to quibble.
So far only Spyker and Williams have cast doubt on the new regulation but there could be others when the time comes to rubber stamp it. Presumably it will be passed after sweeteners are offered; otherwise all Prodrive's plans will be in disarray, not to mention renewed problems for Toro Rosso and Super Aguri (although SA are saying that they will build their own chassis next year - I'll believe it when I see it).
Personally, I hope that customer cars are allowed. It has often been said that any of the new drivers could have done as well as Hamilton had they been in a McLaren this year; Prodrive will give us an opportunity to see just how true that is, especially if Gary Paffett is taken on as one of the drivers.
Not that I am expecting Prodrive to be on the pace of the top teams immediately - inevitably it will take time for the team to settle and get the best from the car. But, judging from Super Aguri's exceptional progress over the last two years, we might not have long to wait. And that would give Gary a chance to prove his ability and talent. His resume is strong although F1 has a habit of ignoring such things.
So far, this season has been the most interesting for years in various ways; with a completely new team joining the fray, and one potentially very competitive, 2008 could be even better.
Gary Paffett in the McLaren
For a small team to enter the game with a front-running chassis is going to be a bit of a shock to the other teams. If Honda are embarrassed now, imagine how they will feel next year. And that might mean there will be more difficulty than expected in the customer car regulation being accepted for 2008. Mighty Max supports it, we know, but some of the teams are bound to quibble.
So far only Spyker and Williams have cast doubt on the new regulation but there could be others when the time comes to rubber stamp it. Presumably it will be passed after sweeteners are offered; otherwise all Prodrive's plans will be in disarray, not to mention renewed problems for Toro Rosso and Super Aguri (although SA are saying that they will build their own chassis next year - I'll believe it when I see it).
Personally, I hope that customer cars are allowed. It has often been said that any of the new drivers could have done as well as Hamilton had they been in a McLaren this year; Prodrive will give us an opportunity to see just how true that is, especially if Gary Paffett is taken on as one of the drivers.
Not that I am expecting Prodrive to be on the pace of the top teams immediately - inevitably it will take time for the team to settle and get the best from the car. But, judging from Super Aguri's exceptional progress over the last two years, we might not have long to wait. And that would give Gary a chance to prove his ability and talent. His resume is strong although F1 has a habit of ignoring such things.
So far, this season has been the most interesting for years in various ways; with a completely new team joining the fray, and one potentially very competitive, 2008 could be even better.