The Cosworth name is to return to Formula One racing next year, after the company revealed it has agreed relationships with the three new teams accepted by the FIA for 2010. An identical package, including a Cosworth engine and technical support, will be provided to Campos Grand Prix, Manor Grand Prix and Team US F1.
"I am pleased that Cosworth's exceptional mix of capabilities has enabled us to provide a solution for Formula One that sits so neatly with our existing operations in the aerospace and defence sectors,” said Tim Routsis, Cosworth CEO.
“Cosworth is proud not only to be able to provide a solution that will deliver the performance needed by these teams to compete in this most technologically challenging sport, but also to extend its long association with Formula One as a truly independent provider of competitive motive power."
Cosworth was set up by British engineers Mike Costin and Kevin Duckworth in 1958 and quickly rose to prominence after Jim Clark drove to victory in a Cosworth-powered Lotus 18 in a Formula Junior race in 1960. The company's tradition of Formula One success began in 1967 when its DFV engine, the first F1 unit designed to function as a fully stressed element of the chassis, won its debut race. The DFV would win 155 Grands Prix over the next 15 years.
By 2006 Cosworth was supplying engines to both Toro Rosso and Williams, whose FW28's CA2006 achieved a Formula One landmark of 20,000RPM during qualifying for its race debut at the 2006 Bahrain race. The following season, however, the British team signed a supply deal with Toyota, while Toro Rosso swapped to Ferrari power, and Cosworth left F1 racing.
"The engineering expertise we have accumulated over four decades in the sport has enabled us to broaden our reach into many different high-technology sectors,” added Routsis. “Today our engineering capabilities extend beyond racing, encompassing high-technology applications in the aerospace, defence, energy, marine and automotive industries. Cosworth has the necessary infrastructure to fulfil the supply of Formula One engines without affecting our other activities."
Cosworth will supply Campos, Manor and Team US F1 for the next three years.
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