FORUMula1.com - F1 Forum

[McLaren Fan]

From F1 Live:

Formula one is not in Volkswagen's sights within the next three years, the German carmaker's motor racing representative Hans-Joachim Stuck insists.

BMW Sauber team boss Mario Theissen suggested last weekend that other European manufacturers, including VW, Audi and Porsche, are interested in the sport's current direction, including measures to rationalise budgets and road-relevant technologies like KERS.

"For a global automobile company such as Volkswagen, Formula One is always a topic," Stuck, who competed in the 70s, told the German language newspaper Vorarlberger Nachrichten.

Adding that part of his role is to communicate with 'powerful' figures including Max Mosley and Bernie Ecclestone, Stuck explained: "An entry within the next three years is however not realistic. There are still uncertainties in the regulations - (like) the engine freeze."

Source: GMM
© CAPSIS International

Well, it's not a yes, but it's not a no either.

[texasmr2]

Good to see they are not ruling out a return in the future .

[bud]

i dont get these car makes entering in F1 when they dont have any real performance cars in their line ups

Porsche or Audi yeah but VW not interested!

[McLaren Fan]

i dont get these car makes entering in F1 when they dont have any real performance cars in their line ups

Porsche or Audi yeah but VW not interested!

I'm getting slightly worried that the sport is being saturated with big automotive companies. It would be nice to see some more privateers come into the sport and do well. A sign of the times, I suppose. Teams like Toyota and Renault don't have the sole of teams like McLaren, Ferrari (albeit that they are not strictly privateers now) and Williams (and former smaller teams like Jordan and Minardi). Toyota et al. are just in the sport for overtly corporate reasons.

I agree with you, too, bud, that it would be nice to see Porsche or Audi in, who have a reputation for designing some very glamourous cars, particularly the former, but as Volkswagen own them and will be looking to up their profile, it will be their name we will be seeing, should they enter the sport.

[texasmr2]

All good thing's must come to an end sooner or later its just the way it is and there is nothing that can be done about it. The privateer's day's have been numbered for a long time so it really comes as no shock to me.

Hey I'm happy we still have F1 racing so I just roll with the punches.

[darwin dali]

I agree with you, too, bud, that it would be nice to see Porsche or Audi in, who have a reputation for designing some very glamourous cars, particularly the former, but as Volkswagen own them and will be looking to up their profile, it will be their name we will be seeing, should they enter the sport.

Since last year, it's the other way round: Porsche took a majority stake (>50%) of VW (and thus Audi).

[texasmr2]

Thats right I totally forgot about that.

[McLaren Fan]

Thats right I totally forgot about that.

I didn't even realise. Maybe we could see Porsche in Formula One.

[8-ball]

I agree with you, too, bud, that it would be nice to see Porsche or Audi in, who have a reputation for designing some very glamourous cars, particularly the former, but as Volkswagen own them and will be looking to up their profile, it will be their name we will be seeing, should they enter the sport.

Since last year, it's the other way round: Porsche took a majority stake (>50%) of VW (and thus Audi).

I thought that it was only about 30% that Porsche got to make sure that no one could takeover VW as they have a close relationship

[Rivelution]

Audi is currently at a huge disadvantage compared to rivals BMW and Mercedes-Benz as both manufacture vehicles in the US: BMW in Spartanburg, South Carolina and Mercedes-Benz in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. It is rumoured that VW is looking at sites in Alabama, Tennessee and Michigan. All three states are offering financial incentives and with the current exchange rate it is a good time for European firms to be expanding in the US. An announcement of a factory is expected within the next few days.

In the light of this it is more likely that we will see Audi investing in racing in the United States. The company has dominated the American Le Mans Series for years but recently sent a representative to a forum at Indianapolis to discuss the future engine rules of the Indy Racing League.

http://www.grandprix.com/ns/ns20567.html


Wouldnt that be awesome to see Audi powered Indy cars? Perhaps this is a step forward in preparing for F1.

[darwin dali]

I agree with you, too, bud, that it would be nice to see Porsche or Audi in, who have a reputation for designing some very glamourous cars, particularly the former, but as Volkswagen own them and will be looking to up their profile, it will be their name we will be seeing, should they enter the sport.

Since last year, it's the other way round: Porsche took a majority stake (>50%) of VW (and thus Audi).

I thought that it was only about 30% that Porsche got to make sure that no one could takeover VW as they have a close relationship

Yes, you're right, the latest news indicates they only upped it from 30% to 35%. It's still in the courts and EU commissions, etc. So, eventually it'll be resolved and the % will go up. At any rate, Porsche has a controlling majority stake now.

[Hanwombat]

I love VW

[texasmr2]

I love VW

Yep the first GTi has alway's been a favorite of mine!

[McLaren Fan]

I love VW

I like them too. I'm a really love the Golf GTI. However, Porsche make faster, more glamourous cars, so they would bring more class to the party than Volkswagen.

[texasmr2]

I love VW

I like them too. I'm a really love the Golf GTI. However, Porsche make faster, more glamourous cars, so they would bring more class to the part than Volkswagen.

If one can respect the overall conglomerate VW is up to par imho as they own Bugatti . Also let's not forget about VW's W8 and W12 engine's concerning the performance aspect.