The Formula One rumor mill has been abuzz with the story that Roger Penske might make another attempt at Formula One in 2008.
According to numerous sources, Penske would be interested in fielding another American Formula One entry in 2008, if the FIA makes good on its intentions to put a maximum $80 million cap on Formula One team budgets.
The rumor of Penske’s possible return to Formula One was further strengthened by a French L’Equipe newspaper interview with FIA president Max Mosley who said, “At the moment, F1 is too expensive. A big private team, very well-known in America, recently told Bernie: ‘We want to join F1, but only if we can do it with a budget of 80 million dollars’—because that is the level at which that team can make a profit. Frank (Williams) is now thinking along the same lines. Ferrari too.”
Should Penske Racing field a team in the 2008 FIA championship, it would be the first time an American team was fielded in Formula One since Penske ran his first F1 program from 1974–1977. During that time, Penske racing entered 40 Grands Prix with John Watson’s victory in the 1976 Austrian Grand Prix being the team’s only win.
