The former team principal of BAR [British American Racing] and former manager of Jacques Villeneuve, is looking at taking on Ferrari, Mercedes, Renault and Cosworth in the battle of the engines.
Craig Pollock has launched his own company with the aim of designing a ‘green’ engine for Formula One, when the new regulations take hold in 2013.
PURE, or Propulsion Universelle et Récupération d’Energie, as the company will be known, has begun to design an engine which meets the FIA’s new regulations for F1 – a 1.6 litre, four-cylinder turbo unit.
So far, contact hasn’t been made with any of the 12 teams, but Pollock said that was an intentional move as they focused on getting the right people in the company to ensure a quality product was produced.
“There are only four suppliers to date for 12 teams, and there is no guarantee there is going to be four suppliers in 2013,” he said.
“We purposely have not contacted any of the teams. We first had to get the company up and running after the engine rules changed in December last year.
“We’ve since put the company together and we now have all the [technology] partners in place prior to doing anything else.
“Our design and development is already way down the road and we are now ready to approach the teams.”
Pollock explained more behind his engine philosophy and why it could be an attractive alternative to other engines.
“We’re going to come in with a very cost-effective, high-quality engine, and we believe there are many teams out there who will be looking for a change of supplier. With every team, apart from the manufacturer teams, there is potential.”
FIA President Jean Todt has given the project his full backing.
“The rule changes for 2013 have been developed to provide lower-cost, greener and more fuel efficient technologies for Formula One.
“We wish Pure every success in developing power-trains compliant with the new FIA regulations.”
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