GM to enter F1

[Wrex]

from autorace.com

GM speculated to be Arrows' future engine supplier

At the end of May, Arrows boss, Tom Walkinshaw spelled out his requirements for continuing with AMT engine supply for the 2002 season when he said: "The Asiatech people have got to confirm to us that they want to behave like a manufacturer and produce a top engine and if that is the case we would like to stay with them".

Since May reports have linked AMT with acquiring a stake in the Prost team, but last week AMT's technical director Enrique Scalabroni said that they are analysing their position at present to see with which team they'll be working with in 2002, not ruling out supplying two teams.

Tom Walkinshaw said in May that they would make the decision on their engine supplier for 2002 in the next month or five weeks.

According to reports by ITV they are in negotiations with General Motors to buy an existing engine and re-badge it for the 2002 season as either Chevrolet or as Cadillac. They furthermore reported that two options is likely, one being for GM to invest in AMT and the other would be to acquire a customer Ferrari engine deal.

With Ford in - they have to don't they?

[steve nielsen]

Wrex: read the topic "Red Bull Arrows Saab"

[Wrex]

Thanks Steve - missed that one

[mtpanorama]

Cmon Wrex,
Its not friday night you know, stop kidding aroud. This is supposed to be a serious place

[Valve Bounce]

Originally posted by mtpanorama
Cmon Wrex,
Its not friday night you know, stop kidding aroud. This is supposed to be a serious place

You have been talking to AMoffat, havn't you, WREX!!

[Wrex]

This is a real quote - Honest - go check

Mt P - this from a guy that started the Volvo thread

[Red]

According to reports by ITV... Ahem...

[Maxmil]

Originally posted by Wrex
This is a real quote - Honest - go check

So it is, but I can't see The General putting it's name on an engine for Arrows. The thin veil of an "Asiatech" ain't exactly their style either, but I guess it's possible. The NASCAR route, where a whole lot of cars are badged as Chevrolets and Pontiacs is more their style.

[Bononi]

What's next ?

[Gt_R]

Personally, i think that Arrows should continue as the exclusive team to AMT by allowing AMT a stake in the team while continuing with the engine supply. The AMT would then push themselves to build a competitive engine tailored for the Arrows chassis, and has more scope for improvements and advancements than stock standard year-old engines. There is a risk of course, that perhaps AMT is out of technical depth...but looking at Ferrari's engine this year being lower on horsepower compared to Merc and BMW, if Tom wants to compete with the best, AMT could be a more promising bet. This is just AMT's first year in (although it is basically Peugeot with a different name), but AMT seemed serious about F1, could at least do a repeat of what Mugen did in 98...

Or maybe GM could invest in AMT, grow in experience, and come full bang into F1 in e future!

[badoer fan]

How long until the 'regular denial'?

[Nicholas]

Originally posted by Maxmil


So it is, but I can't see The General putting it's name on an engine for Arrows. The thin veil of an "Asiatech" ain't exactly their style either, but I guess it's possible. The NASCAR route, where a whole lot of cars are badged as Chevrolets and Pontiacs is more their style.

There was speculation that Hyundai was funding the AMT project and would rebadge them Hyundai when they were competetive.