Renault keen to supply engines to second F1 team

LONDON: Formula One champions Renault are looking to supply engines to a second team in 2007, principal Flavio Briatore was quoted as saying on Thursday.

"We are keen to supply a second team and we have ample capacity at (engine headquarters) Viry to supply it," the Italian told British weekly magazine Autosport.

"With homologated engines coming in, supplying a second team has to be the way to go. It would offset a lot of the cost. We would be willing to talk to anyone and the engines would be available for a very reasonable price."

Formula One's governing body is insisting on homologated engines, widely referred to as a freeze on development, for at least three years from 2008.

Renault, the only team not to have suffered an engine failure so far this year, last supplied other teams in 1997 when they powered both that year's champions Williams and Benetton.

Williams have yet to confirm a supply for 2007, despite a widespread belief that they have done a deal with Toyota. That would leave Midland, who could soon be sold to a Dutch consortium, having to look elsewhere.

One of the two Red Bull teams could be interested while British-based Prodrive, run by former Benetton boss David Richards, are entering Formula One in 2008 and have yet to announce an engine partner.