aleks_ader wrote:aleks_ader wrote:Article:
Honda and Ford could power new F1 teams in 2015
from link below wrote:Meanwhile the Haas Automation entry could utilise Ford branded Cosworth engines, the English firm has recently opened a new office in Detroit and developed its own power unit for the 2014 season, but refused to put it into production without a OEM partner.
http://www.racecar-engineering.com/news ... s-in-2015/
I really hope so. The historic cennection between FORD and Cosworth is legendary.
History of FORD + Cosworth (until sale)
http://www.allf1.info/engines/ford.php
Cosworth interview form return into F1:
There had been some design work, simulation and analysis done by our engineering staff and there had been some discussions, some of which were fairly recent, about whether there wasn’t a team or teams plural that were willing to sponsor the development,” Reisiger explained.
“But given the scope of the work and budget that’s required, it wasn’t something Cosworth was prepared to undertake independently. If one of those discussions came to fruition, and they still take place, it’s still something we’d be interested in that we’d need to be in collaboration and partnership with an OEM or team or teams.”
So would that leave the door open to an F1 return down the road? In a word, yes.
“Absolutely we would (want to),” Reisiger said. “I think that we provide a very cost-effective solution for people to be on the grid. We have the ability to excel from a performance standpoint. Decisions take place fairly frequently; it’s a matter of whether or not it makes sense for teams, OEMs and/or Cosworth. We’d look forward to the right opportunity if we could find the right collaboration.”
Potential Cosworth programs could also appear in sports car racing and/or another form of motorsport down the road. Further information from our conversation with Reisiger today will follow in a separate post.
This is pure speculation, but there is a certain logic here that could be at play. Admittedly my speculation is especially suspect because I have no numbers to back this up.
Still, judging from the number of Ford Focuses, and Escorts on the roads in the US I have to believe that ford has owned a large chunk do the small car market. At least in the U.S., especially among buyers of " American" branded cars. Now that Ferrari owner Fiat has purchased Chrysler and the number do Fiat500s on the roads is becoming noticeable, Ford may be feeling some heat.
Now I'm nor suggesting that Ford really thinks it needs to compete in F1 to sell cars, but there may be some that want to take part in the KERS/TERS game lest they be left behind. Take into account that Mercedes, Renault, and soon Honda are currently racing KERS and TERS and Ford could have a big problem if these technologies end up on the street in significant numbers.