Richards: customer cars legal in 2008

Prodrive boss David Richards says there is no doubt that customers cars will be allowed in 2008, despite Frank Williams' claims

Jan 30, 2007, 10:11 AM

Williams, who is ready to seek legal action if the Super Aguri or Toro Rosso teams race with customer versions of Honda's and Red Bull's cars in 2007, warned last weekend that teams should not be taking for granted that they will be allowed to use customer cars from next year.

Prodrive, who will become Formula One's 12th team next year, plan to buy a chassis from a current team and compete with it, something Williams, who opposes such move, is not convinced will be permitted.

"In the presently issued rules for 2008, customer cars are not yet a done deal," Williams told the Guardian.

Richards, however, claims Williams is wrong, saying it is "absolutely clear" that customer cars will be allowed next season under the new Concorde Agreement.

"There is absolutely no question about it, customer cars are permitted in 2008," Richards told the newspaper. "Williams have entered the 2008 world championship accepting that condition.

"It all seems absolutely clear to me."