Aston Martin to Wait on Submitting F1 Entry

Prodrive & Aston Martin boss David Richards seems everything but certain on his potential involvement in Formula One in 2010. Initially linked with a Honda Racing F1 buyout earlier this year – which he surely regrets not signing – Richards seems to find it incredibly hard to make up his mind about returning to the Great Circle next year.

With the FIA deadline for 2010 entries due to expire on May 29, Richards has only 2 days left to make a decision.

During the course of last month, Richards revealed he was searching for Middle-East branding of a potential F1 entry, with technological backing from Aston Martin. He argued that decision by the high number of grands prix in the region that are currently part of the F1 schedule. Although the FIA have announced a 40M (pounds sterling) budget cap for 2010, Richards insisted he'll wait until the last minute to evaluate a potential 2010 entry.

“We are going to wait until the last minute and see what happens. Shortly before the end of the registration period for the 2010 season, board meetings take place at Aston Martin and Prodrive. Then we will decide,” revealed the former Renault and BAR team principal for Germany's Auto Motor und Sport. He added that, although appealing, the new regulations may not provide a competitive racing environment in the years to come.

“Everything depends now on two questions: will the new rules permit us to enter with a chance of sporting success? And are there the basic financial conditions that would allow a new team to have a lasting and practical business model?” rhetorically asked the 59-year old Briton.

So far, only Campos Racing, USF1 and Williams F1 have submitted their applications for a 2010 entry.