Future of Cosworth

[riff_raff]

xpensive,

The reason Cosworth survived as long as it has (albeit in various forms) is because they mostly tried to approach F1 (or any race engine program) from a business standpoint. For the most part, Cosworth would not pursue programs without external funding. And it has worked out well for them. Even though their most successful engines (DFV, DFX, HC, etc.) were badged as Fords, everyone remembers them as Cosworths.

Cosworth is currently in the hands of a pair of level-headed US businessmen (Forsythe and Kalkhoven), so I'm sure their future is secure.

riff_raff

[xpensive]

An interesting historical lesson riff, but my point is that with a backer such as Ford on the valve-covers, they wouldn't have to offload the development costs on their very few customers. As Cosworth's situation is at the moment, they will have to rely on HRT and Virgin to pay for the development of a brand new direct injection V6 turbo with all the recovery systems to go with it.

That situation is not credible to my mind.

[MIKEY_!]

Cosworth might be in trouble, apparently virgin are thinking of switching to Mercedes power (2013) and HRT might be going to Renault power for next year. See the HRT F111 forum for more. Can any manufacturer remain profitable by selling engines to just one team? Especially when developing a new engine for 2014.

[Petroltorque]

The silly season has gone mad. Its not being helped by people purporting to know better conflating the "stories". Allow me to impart some rumour control. As I understand it HRT were discussing a possible supply deal for 2013 when their contract expires. I do not expect HRT to break their existing contract with Cosworth and face the financial penalties associated with that.
With regards to Virgin; there does not seem to be a day that someone here is linking them to a Macca transmission deal or Mercedes engine supply.
An interesting corollary is that Eric Boullier has admitted to talks with Cosworth over a possible engine deal as well. What's likely to finish Cosworth is if they fail to offer an inhouse KERS system to their partner teams. That would indicate an inability to adapt to the regulations.
I fear a lot of rumours are picked up by non specialist journos and exagerated in the hope of raing circulation.

[MIKEY_!]

Don't shoot the messenger in future, ok.

And if you haven't bothered to read the forum I mentioned, HRT could get a free supply of better engines out of it (at the cost of a new driver which is no bad thing). So the financial penalty might be worth it depending on how big it is. And KERS compatibility too.

[Tyler]

With HRT thinking about switching to the Renault engine and Williams already set to switch in 2012 is there a future for Cosworth in F1?
I know their target was to have 2 customers for their engines but if HRT also decides to switch that will leave just Virgin, something I'm sure that Cosworth didn't see happening just a few months ago.
Of course when P.U.R.E. enters the picture, this is sure to put more pressure on them.
Will it be feasible for them to carry on with just one customer and is there anything to stop Virgin switching engines should they so choose in the future.
I've read recently that the team currently known as Renault are looking at their options and switching to Cosworth engines is their plan B.
Of course this would be excellent news for Cosworth but what would possibly make them switch?
Talking about the team currently known as Renault, are they going to be changing their name anytime soon?
With Red Bull declaring themselves the closest thing to a Renault works team and Renault possibly changing engines, surely a name change is in the works?

[MIKEY_!]

I believe the name thing was sorted recently. Lotus (green and gold) will give up the lotus name and Renault/lotus (black and gold) will keep it. That leaves the door open for new lotus (black and gold) to use any engine it likes (except for any fine print). Lotus and cosworth have a history together but the Renault engine is better so i don't see a switch happening. Until 2015 at least, when they know if the new Renault engine is any good.

[Tyler]

Thanks Mikey - any idea what Team Lotus will change their name to?
Team Caterham perhaps?

[MIKEY_!]

Could be or perhaps AirAsia F1 since Tony Fernandes owns that too.

[matt21]

It should be Team Caterham Air Asia like GP2.

[MIKEY_!]

Bit off topic but for those who are interested:


http://gridreversal.wordpress.com/2011/ ... n-germany/

Or look on wiki

Not a bad team, currently 3rd in D.C, 2nd in T.C (GP2 Asia)