Ferrari [Images] insist their deal to supply Spyker with Formula One engines next season will not extend beyond the sport.The Dutch sportscar company and FIAT-owned Ferrari have a common shareholder in Abu Dhabi's Mubadala Development Company, who own 17 percent of the former and five percent of the latter.
However, Ferrari team boss Jean Todt ruled out any involvement between the two beyond what is initially a one-year Formula One deal.
"No, nothing to do with road cars," he told reporters at the Chinese Grand Prix when asked whether there could be further crossover.
"I respect them (Spyker). I had the opportunity at looking at their road cars a bit more at Pebble Beach where I was in August, but the agreement is only Formula One, exclusively Formula One," he added.
"Any kind of speculation on that is completely losing time."
Spyker delivered 43 of their two-seater tailor-made supercars in the first half of the year to end-June, compared to eight last year, and have an order book of 302.
The cars retail from around $300,000.
Powered by Volkswagen or Audi engines, they compete at the top end of the market with the likes of Ferrari, Lamborghini and Bugatti.
The company bought the Silverstone-based Midland Formula One team, formerly Jordan, last month and have changed its name to Spyker MF1. They will compete next year as Spyker F1.
Ferrari also supply Red Bull with F1 engines.
© Copyright 2008 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon.
|