FPA: Palmer won't rule out FPA rebirth

 
Formula Palmer Audi creator Jonathan Palmer has refused to rule out the possibility of replacing the category with a similar concept in the future.

FPA was axed following the 2010 campaign as the need for a new car threatened to push costs beyond what Palmer had maintained was right for the series. However the ex-Formula One driver has refused to fully give up on the ethos behind FPA, and says he would consider creating a new championship were the circumstances right.

"I will monitor the situation. If I see a gap there's no reason why I wouldn't try to fill it," said Palmer.

"You have Formula Renault in the UK but Formula BMW's gone and I'm not sure that Formula Ford is producing the right kind of drivers. I'll keep a close eye on it."

The Briton also admitted he was sad to see the series he created go, but admitted that the economic climate would have made replacing the 13-year old cars cost prohibitive.

"FPA has been a phenomenal success" sqaid Palmer, "annd I guess it will be sad to see it go from a personal point of view, but it has achieved a great deal for a number of drivers.

"We needed to upgrade the cars. In the current climate it's the wrong time to do that. We would have had vast expense building new carbon-tubbed cars."

FPA graduates include Indycar star Justin Wilson, multiple WTCC champ Andy Priaulx and McLaren F1 tester Gary Paffett. The final championship was won by 18-year-old Nigel Moore, who now hopes to graduate to another Palmer-run championship in the shape of Formula 2 next season.


James Weeks.