David Richards has written off any chance of Prodrive competing in next year's Formula One World Championship.
Prodrive boss still hopes to be on the grid - but not next season
David Richards has written off any chance of Prodrive competing in next year's Formula One World Championship.
The Banbury-based team, formed by the ex-BAR and Benetton boss, were hoping to enter the 2008 championship with a 'customer car', with McLaren-Mercedes long the favourites to supply the chassis and engine.
The existing Concorde Agreement - the protocol which governs F1 - outlaws the use of cars manufactured by other constructors and then sold to a different team.
Prodrive were encouraged by FIA president Max Mosley when he said that the rule would be scrapped under the new Concorde Agreement coming into force next year.
However, the Williams team subsequently said that, were Prodrive to enter F1 with a customer car next season, they would issue a legal challenge.
Richards said that, with the new Concorde Agreement remaining unsigned, time has now realistically run out for Prodrive.
Nevertheless, he also expressed his hope that Prodrive can take their place on the grid in 2009.
Delayed
"The new Concorde Agreement has been repeatedly delayed," he told Germany's
Auto Motor und Sport magazine.
"We asked the FIA to be able to start mid-way through the season, and our request was rejected.
"So for 2008 there is not a realistic chance of there being a Prodrive F1 team."
He added: "We must wait for the new Concorde; only then can we fully assess our options.
"Our ambition is still to be in F1."
