Wednesday 24th November 2004

Richards ousted from BAR F1 team

Successful stewardship sees Prodrive owner out on his ear

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As engine supplier Honda takes a 45 per cent stake in the highly successful BAR F1 team, the management company Prodrive, owned by Dave Richards bows out -- or is ousted, depending on whose version you believe. This is despite the fact that his contract has allegedly still got a year to run, and after he masterminded the team to a best-ever second place behind the all-conquering Scuderia Ferrari.

BAR's positive spin was that the move "signals the successful completion of Prodrive’s management of the team."

Prodrive was contracted under a consultancy agreement by British American Tobacco in 2001 to restructure the management of the team, place the team on a stable financial footing and put BAR into a position to challenge for the world championship.

David Richards said, “We were brought in by British American Tobacco (BAT) to turn the team around and secure its long-term future and that is what we have done. I am immensely proud of what Prodrive has achieved in a shorter time than anticipated. I believe that BAR Honda is now in a very healthy position to continue its pursuit of the world championship. Obviously I and all at Prodrive will take a strong interest in the fortunes of the team in the future.”

BAT boss and BAR director Antonio Monteiro de Castro said, "We are particularly grateful to David Richards and Prodrive for helping to achieve the team’s performance improvement and providing a springboard for the next phase of the team’s development.”

The succession planning put in place by Prodrive will see Nick Fry, currently group managing director of Prodrive, appointed as chief executive of BAR. A phased management transition is underway and should be completed by the end of the year.

Prodrive's official statement says Richards will be providing support on transitional issues at BAR until the end of February. Honda and Prodrive are also exploring the opportunities of working together in the future.

David Richards said, “This has proven Prodrive’s expertise at the very highest level of the sport. Our management ability and delivery of results is second to none, as proven by our track record in every area of motorsport, as well as specialist road car engineering. We thoroughly enjoyed our time at BAR, and now look forward to taking on new challenges at Prodrive.”

[Tripps]

Looks to me like the top BAT guys wants their egos inflating by running a "top" F1 team, but without Richard and Prodrive they'll be in the same position as Toyota I'd wager.

Bet Jenson is oh so chuffed having to stay there now!

[LancsDriver]

As far as Iam aware from what I have read from various Motorsport websites, he isnt leaving, his role has just been 'phased out' and he will actually stay and oversee the running of the team, Prodrive are still contracted to manage the team for BAT whom are the majority shareholders.

[D-Angle]

If I were Red Bull I'd be on the phone like a shot!

[Pistonfest]

Actually I think it's a positive move sideways for Mr. Richards to accept.....after all, he has proved he is more than capable of leading the closest contending team (2nd only to the Reds) in the F1 Championship- maybe it's time to divert his knowledge & experience?

Considering the increase in media attention, plus the Ferrari & Aston Martin (+ possibly a new Audi project to be announced tomorrow) campaigns in various GT classes, Prototype ALMS & LMES etc, perhaps the "wise" in the Prodrive camp know the future direction of Motorsport........ after all, Prodrive are a commercial outfit, and not restricted to only 1 class within the total sport..........
but then again, I could be wrong.

[caro]

Good point, Pistonfest. Dave Richards and Prodrive have to sone extent specialised in the proper organisation and motivation of motorsport teams, in more than one branch of the sport, and having got BAR into no2 spot, he may well feel those itchy feet prompting him to move on to the next project.

Wonder what he would think of one day becoming the replacement for Max Moseley?