Direxiv
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Direxiv is a company with motorsport links to the GP2 Series, a series which is closely linked to Formula One and future drivers in F1 are likely to have raced in GP2. Direxiv had submitted an entry to run a Formula 1 team in 2008 onwards, although they faced tough competition from other companies as Carlin Motorsport, Eddie Jordan, Paul Stoddart and current GP2 team Racing Engineering. Direxiv lost out on the chance to gain entry to the 2008 season when the FIA chose to give the entries to the current 11 teams and Dave Richards' Prodrive taking the final spot.
The team are also involved in Super GT and Formula Nippon, and sponsor McLaren in F1 as well as former McLaren and current WilliamsF1 driver Alexander Wurz.
Direxiv were linked with creating a "McLaren B Team" which would give then-GP2 racer Lewis Hamilton (who has now been promoted to the McLaren team itself) and possibly either Pedro de la Rosa or Gary Paffett a race drive in F1. Former F1 driver Jean Alesi is also working with the Direxiv squad in their attempts. A decision is to be made by September 2006 for Direxiv to decide whether they are to enter F1 for 2007. If Direxiv do manage to gain entry after paying the $48 million deposit, the team will have the backing of McLaren and receive an engine supply from Mercedes-Benz. 2007 does have one empty gird slot remaining but it is unlikely that Direxiv would take up the slot for a single year.
If Direxiv were to enter in 2007 the only way they were to keep their spot for 2008 would be if they bought one of the current teams that have an entry for 2008 or if one of the teams in for 2008 were hit by financial troubles.
After the 2006 French GP, Dave Richards who had his entry to the 2008 F1 season accepted announced that he was looking to bring his Prodive team into F1 as the McLaren B Team which looked to bring an end to the dream of a Direxiv McLaren B Team.
As of August 2006, Direxiv have announced that they will pull out of the Super GT due to the loss of their primary backer, Akiyama Holdings. The Suzuka 1000km will be their last race in the series.
[edit] GP2
Direxiv has their logo on several cars in the 2006 GP2 field this includes:
- DPR Direxiv Team (Direxiv title sponsors)
- ART Grand Prix
- BCN Competicion
[edit] British Formula 3
Direxiv ironically partners competitors for the 2008 F1 grid spot, Carlin Motorsport, in the British F3 International Series and is the title sponsor for German driver Maro Engel.