Lola Evaluates F1 Return in 2010

British racing car manufacturer Lola Group announced they have committed to the full technical, operational and financial evaluation concerning the development of an F1 car for the upcoming 2010 season. As confirmed by a press release from Lola, this measure was taken as a result of the “cost capping”introduced by the FIA for the upcoming season.

“The announcement that Formula One teams may opt for a prudent, financially responsible ‘cost capped’ regime from 2010 has resulted in us deciding to fully evaluate the opportunity to develop a car to compete in the FIA Formula One World Championship,” said Martin Birrane, Executive Chairman of Lola Group.

It has been 12 years since Lola last competed in Formula 1, but they are now considering returning to the Great Circle with an in-house designed, manufactured and developed car for the Formula One series. Having a great tradition in motorsports, Lola already has at their disposal “a F1 standard wind tunnel, latest CFD and FEA and a seven-post dynamic chassis rig,” as announced by the statement.

“Providing world-class engineering excellence, offering high quality solutions governed by a tightly controlled financial regime has been part of Lola’s DNA over the last decade.”

“Lola possesses the technical resources, capability and know-how to develop cars capable of competing at the very highest levels of international motor sport, including Formula One. We are therefore embracing the WMSC’s timely announcements and assessing a relevant programme for F1 with a view to making formal entry in the coming weeks,” added Birrane in the press release.

Lola's past commitments in the motor racing world include projects in Formula 1, Formula 3000, North America's CART/Champ Car Series, Indy Lights or the A1 GP World Cup of Motorsport (until 2008, when replaced by Ferrari).