Aston: Equal rules crucial to future

Aston Martin will give the go-ahead to its all-new Le Mans 24 Hours contender for next year only if it receives guarantees that there will be level playing field between diesel and petrol cars, this week's AUTOSPORT magazine reveals

May 27, 2010, 3:34 PM

It has been working on a petrol-powered replacement for its current Lola-based LMP1 coupe since last summer. But David Richards, whose Prodrive outfit runs Aston Martin Racing, insists it will not return to the 24 Hours when new rules come into force for 2011 if it is "hindered in any way" against the diesels.

"We very much want to be there," he said. "We are working on a design study and above all we are working with [Le Mans rulemaker] the Automobile Club de l'Ouest to ensure that there is a true equivalence.

"As soon as we are given assurances that we will not be hindered in any way, we will make the decision to be at Le Mans next year.

"If there is a level playing field, we will be there."

Richards added that AMR had the finance in plan to build a new car and engine for 2011.

"We have the resources to do it," he said. "We can't procure the same level of finance as Peugeot and Audi, but we can be more efficient."