> Prodrive close to partnering McLaren to become the 12th team on the F1 grid

McLaren is the “closest” of three possible options to partnering Prodrive in its 2008 entry to Formula 1, the new outfit’s chairman David Richards has revealed.

The 12th team on the grid for next season will take advantage of new rules which come in to force in 2008 allowing teams to purchase customer cars from another outfit.

Current championship leading team McLaren has long been favourite to seal such a deal with Richard’s team and the first details of the new squad had been expected to be announced at last month’s British Grand Prix.

Richards has admitted that McLaren is still the most likely of three possible options and that he expects to finally confirm more details next month.

“McLaren is one of three possible options for us, but they are closest,” he told The Times newspaper.

“We will not be able to make an announcement until next month but talks are progressing very well and we will be on the Formula 1 grid in 2008.”

Prodrive was confirmed last April as the new entry in to the F1 world championship for 2008 and Richards admitted in January that his new squad was unlikely to test before for the first time before December.

The team has also yet to announce its first driver line-up.

Source: itv-f1