David Richards is expected to announce in Geneva tomorrow that his bid for Aston Martin has been successful and that he is in charge of Britain's glossiest car company. The reports to date have all indicated that Richards has been acting independently of Prodrive but there is no doubt that there are considerable synergies between the two firms and that it would make a lot of sense for Richards to go ahead and brand F1 engines, if not the whole car, as Aston Martin. This is the kind of marketing tool that Richards would love to have for Aston Martin, if the books can be made to balance. Aston Martin does not make sufficient money to fund an entire programme itself but would no doubt be happy to use the brand if others can be found to pay the bills.