In years? How about right now? If they had let the team alone it would have had a chance. But they had about six team principles in five years (I think six, counting Jackie Stewart who stepped down at the launch of the R1). Each one brought in new people, new ideas, adn by the time they had things the way they wanted, Ford would pull them for lack of results and hire someone else, who would repeat teh cycle of hiring new people, firing old, etc.
In the TAG's defence, Porsche kept a low profile. The entry was always McLaren TAG, even if the engines were of course a Porsche. Only "Made by Porsche" on the turbo indicated anything of involvment by Stuggart.
The Arrows deal was a mess. But that V12 was mysterious from the start. In 1987 Porsche showed Dennis what it would cost for the 3.5 liter 1989 Formula and Dennis got free Hondas, which were better anyway at that stage.
Then Oynx's Moneytron man started blathering about how he would quit F1 if he didn't get those Porsche engines. Lotus sent out a statement to prospective sponsors after the 1989 season expressing a desire for the engine, but saying it would take around US 20 million in funds to develop it.
Finally, somehow it landed in the back of a Footwork/Arrows for about five minutes. It was a disturbing blotch on Porsche's record.
Here is where the buck stops. We know about the stories of the 917. We here all the time about the 956/962. We love the 935 Moby Dick. Ever hear a lot about the 804?
In F1, its a lot about the drivers. In sports cars, its always about the brand unless you have a particurally well known driver, a Jacky Icyx, Tom Kristenson, Dereck Bell, or one off specials like the Earnhardts at Daytona.
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Originally posted by Nordic
The Aston Project is far from a works effort. Ford have only agreed to allow the car to be used and get a approval from the FIA. No Ford money is going into the project. As I understand it all the money will need to come from other sorce's and may prove to be the downfall of the project that is yet to appear in public
What should not escape the notice of Ford is the amount of positive Press as sucessful sports car like the GT40 or 917 generates long after its racing career is over when compared to a single seater.
Ford have been able to play on the GT40 being the 'car that beat Ferrari' for 30 odd years. Not a bad return.
Porsche have long been aple to dine out on the 917's success, yet the TAG/McLaren is all but forgotten (and the Arrows effort is hushed up)
Jag will forever be linked with sportscars, the F1 effort in years to come will be seen as a mistake.
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