The USF1 team continues its ongoing preparations as it aims to join the Formula One grid next year, and an important part of that plan is finding an engine supplier. It has now come to light that the Cosworth name is on the American team's list of potential suppliers.The V8 engine itself already exists and was last seen in F1 when it powered the Williams cars in 2006; when Williams switched to Toyota for their engines, Cosworth exited Formula One. That could change next season, suggested USF1 Sporting Director Peter Windsor.
"The Cosworth engine is certainly an attractive proposition," he told Autosport.
"Apart from anything else, Cosworth is now owned by an American, Kevin Kalkhoven, and that is a nice little link for us as well," Windsor added, referring to the team's continuing plan to showcase American know-how.
However, having Cosworth on the list does not necessarily mean the firm is at the top of it, as the USF1 project had initially declared it would contact the manufacturers presently active in F1 for its engine needs.
"I wouldn't say (Cosworth is) preferred, but it is definitely an option we are looking at very, very seriously," Windsor elaborated.
"The idea of working with a small specialist company is kind of in-tune with the way we are operating as a race team as well," he pointed out.
Apart from an engine deal, the future team still has many important details to work out - such as hiring personnel to design the car. The process is about to begin very shortly according to Windsor, with nominations to be completed during the summer.
As for the official team name, the USF1 moniker used at the project's announcement last February has since been changed to USGPE (for 'Grand Prix Engineering'), but that appellation will also be replaced eventually.
"When the entry is formalised, when the 2010 championship is announced by the FIA, that is when we will come on line with a team name and a few other really good announcements as well," Windsor said.
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