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[Denthúl]

If Prodrive would have made it onto the F1 grid would they have done much good?
They were going to be year old McLarens werent they?

Nope, I thought they'd be racing MP4-23s loaded with FO 108Vs

Yeah, would of been funny if Garry Parffet beat Hekki

Whether Paffett is faster over a single lap than Kovalainen, I don't know, but he probably would be faster over a stint. Kovalainen, like a typical Scandinavian, drives his MP4-23 like a snowmobile, burning out the rear tyres. Paffett, a typical British driver, tends to like a more neutral car, so his tyres aren't quite so badly worn out. The whole tyre situation at McLaren is interesting. Hamilton manages to wear his front and rear tyres out pretty badly; and Kovalainen manages to keep his front tyres in reasonable condition, but absolutely smokes his rears.

Man. I'd love to see a Kovalainen/Raikkonen/Hakkinen/Salo snowmobile race!

[McLaren Fan]

If Prodrive would have made it onto the F1 grid would they have done much good?
They were going to be year old McLarens werent they?

Nope, I thought they'd be racing MP4-23s loaded with FO 108Vs

Yeah, would of been funny if Garry Parffet beat Hekki

Whether Paffett is faster over a single lap than Kovalainen, I don't know, but he probably would be faster over a stint. Kovalainen, like a typical Scandinavian, drives his MP4-23 like a snowmobile, burning out the rear tyres. Paffett, a typical British driver, tends to like a more neutral car, so his tyres aren't quite so badly worn out. The whole tyre situation at McLaren is interesting. Hamilton manages to wear his front and rear tyres out pretty badly; and Kovalainen manages to keep his front tyres in reasonable condition, but absolutely smokes his rears.

Man. I'd love to see a Kovalainen/Raikkonen/Hakkinen/Salo snowmobile race!

And Gilles Villeneuve (the Real Villeneuve) and Ronnie Peterson if they were both still with us.

[scotty]

Just a few things here: -

if Force India get a McLaren chassis and a Mercedes engine they are going to be more or less the same spec as the 'works' cars and could concievably be beaten by them, so what's in this deal for McLaren? Why are they willing to risk being shown up? Unlikely but possible... Would McLaren give them the initial chassis and let them develop it themselves? Would they give Force India a slightly old spec Merc engine (i don't even think that's possible under the freeze regs)?

[headless]

Yeah McLaren won't want to get shown up, but thats the risk you take.

[Gaz]

Just a few things here: -

if Force India get a McLaren chassis and a Mercedes engine they are going to be more or less the same spec as the 'works' cars and could concievably be beaten by them, so what's in this deal for McLaren? Why are they willing to risk being shown up? Unlikely but possible... Would McLaren give them the initial chassis and let them develop it themselves? Would they give Force India a slightly old spec Merc engine (i don't even think that's possible under the freeze regs)?

I remember a rule somewhere that a customer team is not allowed to beat a works team.

need to clarify it tho..

[headless]

If they are not alloowed to beat the works team then thats surely not racing??

[scotty]

Just a few things here: -

if Force India get a McLaren chassis and a Mercedes engine they are going to be more or less the same spec as the 'works' cars and could concievably be beaten by them, so what's in this deal for McLaren? Why are they willing to risk being shown up? Unlikely but possible... Would McLaren give them the initial chassis and let them develop it themselves? Would they give Force India a slightly old spec Merc engine (i don't even think that's possible under the freeze regs)?

I remember a rule somewhere that a customer team is not allowed to beat a works team.

need to clarify it tho..

Erm, i'm sure you're joking, but either way no one told Seb Vettel!

[McLaren Fan]

From Planet F1:

Force India to reveal engine supplier soon

Wednesday 29th October 2008

Force India are hoping to make an announcement on their future engine supplier during this weekend's Brazilian Grand Prix.

The media reported last week that Force India, who currently have customer engine contract with Ferrari until 2009, are in talks with McLaren about an engine supply and technical co-operation deal for next year.

Team owner Vijay Mallya confirmed they are in talks with both McLaren and Ferrari and says they asked for an entire drivetrain and KERS package from both.

"As you know, I am in active discussion with McLaren and Ferrari. We will make an announcement either in Brazil, or before Brazil," he told the team's website.

"I have asked for the entire drivetrain and KERS package from both. Ferrari are not very sure that they can give me the entire drivetrain. At the end of the day what sense does it make for me to have a great engine, a great KERS system, and a gearbox that's tentative? That's why I said go for the whole hog, a good tried and proven and tested package from the top two teams. And that's what I'm seeking to achieve."

Mallya insists Ferrari will have no hard feelings should Force India opt to go with McLaren next year.

"Ferrari and us are very, very close friends, we have an excellent relationship," he told the Force India website.

"We have told them exactly what we want. We are in discussion. They are aware that I have talked to McLaren, so everything is completely transparent from our point of view. And it is also recognised that if for whatever reason we need to part, it will be a very friendly parting. And that's all agreed.

"If they have incurred some costs developing engines for us for next year, we'll talk about it. We're certainly not going to be bloody-minded. If they have incurred costs on my behalf, I think I owe it to them to offer to reimburse.

"Beyond that I think there is a very positive and friendly spirit on either side, and so they will not be any acrimony or any wilful enforcement of a contract."

[KyrosV]

From that, it sounds like he would rather go with Ferrari. but if not 2nd best McLaren

[McLaren Fan]

From F1 Live:

Contrary to Vijay Mallya's recent promise, the announcement of Force India's new technical alliance with McLaren-Mercedes will no longer take place in Brazil.

The team's Indian co-owner said last week its partner for 2009 would be unveiled 'in Brazil, or before Brazil', amid reports all the details of the McLaren deal have been agreed.

The final hurdle, however, is the Silverstone based squad's existing contractual arrangement with Ferrari, its current engine supplier.

Force India wants to switch suppliers because McLaren is ready to offer a complete engine, KERS and transmission package.

Mallya revealed last week that he is willing to 'reimburse' Ferrari for pulling out of the 2009 contract, but Germany's Auto Motor und Sport claims this has not yet been agreed.

For that reason, the Force India-McLaren linkup will not be announced this weekend, with McLaren CEO Martin Whitmarsh confirming that a deal cannot be signed off 'as long as Ferrari do not consent'.

Source: GMM
© CAPSIS International

[bud]

Force India have announced that they have ended their engine-supply contract with Ferrari. The agreement, signed in 2007, was due to last until the end of 2009, but will now terminate ahead of schedule at the request of Force India.

“Force India wishes to thank Ferrari for its much appreciated and valued support to date, which has always been carried out at the highest level; technically and professionally and within an excellent relationship,” read a Force India statement released Friday.

Force India owner Vijay Mallya said recently that he was willing to buy his team out of the contract should Ferrari be unable to supply a complete package of engine, gearbox and KERS for 2009. He is now widely expected to confirm a complete drivetrain deal with McLaren and Mercedes for next season.

[EwanM]

Poor Force - duck by ferrari

[onelapdown]

So does that mean Torro Rosso won't have a KERS system to use? That could really be a problem for them once everyone else has theirs running unless the Red Bull technology centre is developing a system for both teams, but I can't see the same system being fully compatible with two different engines.

[bud]

i rekn Redbull are developing their own system for RBR and STR

[EwanM]

Think the customer cars argument has went away with only 20 teams left and all now getting a share of the cash.

Gotta feel sorry for Williams now - they have been duped again.