VW and F1 in 2018 talk

[Moot]

"I could in 2018, when the group is in the auto industry up front, imagine a Formula 1 involvement. We have enough good brands that could do that."
said by VW motorsports boss Wolfgang Dürheimer.
BBC.

A long time ahead!

 

[MitchZ06]

Audi to F1 after battling Porsche in LMP?

 

[occasionalracer]

Well with VW Group owning Porsche now, you would hope that the natural progression for them, would be to be part of Formula 1. It'd be amazing to see how their initial chassis and engineering would fair out in comparison to other F1 team newcomers.

 

[GTPorsche]

I'd rather see Porsche back in F1 instead of Audi. Would be good to see the rivalry vs. Ferrari in that series.

 

[prisonermonkeys]

Well, I can see this thread lying dormant for six years ...

 

[Peter.]

I'm not going to take any more crap from VW. They said a year ago, that they were interested in bringing Porsche into Formula 1, then not too long ago, they dismiss the F1 rumors by saying that Le Mans is far more efficient and profitable, and even bring Porsche back to Le Mans. Now they're back with the whole F1 thing? Rubbish.

 

[LMSCorvetteGT2]

VW owns or has so much say in many groups that it may end up in many series. They're suppose to be in WRC, ILMS, and now F1. I wouldn't be surprised to see them in some extent in all if they are doing that well manufacturing wise.

 

[niky]

Well, I can see this thread lying dormant for six years ...

Can I say "meh"? Like Peter, I'm kind of tired of hearing "VW in F1"... they've toyed with the idea for a long time with no concrete results... and are partially responsible for the confusion over the 2013 engine rules. If they're going to do it, just do it, already, damnation!

 

[prisonermonkeys]

Yeah, but they're fussy about it. The conditions have to be just right in order for them to enter.

 

[niky]

Market share? Check.
Brand recognition? Check.
Marketing angle? Porsche. Check.
Economic situation? Workable.
Bernie's haircut? Call back in a few years...

 

[bass264]

Market share? Check.
Brand recognition? Check.
Marketing angle? Porsche. Check.
Economic situation? Workable.
Bernie's haircut? Call back in a few years...

 

[prisonermonkeys]

Market share? Check.
Brand recognition? Check.
Marketing angle? Porsche. Check.
Economic situation? Workable.

Desired level of road-relevant technology? Uncheck.

VAG will only enter Formula 1 when they feel that the engine formula is most relevant to their road cars. After all, they were pushing for inline-fours for 2014; they obviously want an engine that they can put in their road cars and their Formula 1 cars. And until they get it, it's unlikely they will enter the sport.

 

[dudedo]

I've got a great idea.

How 'bout putting that Bugatti W16 into F1 cars!!!!

 

[prisonermonkeys]

Um, because it would be ridiculous and unnecessary. All you'd do is create ultra-heavy racing cars.

 

[MitchZ06]

Kinda wondering the same, it's an idea no doubt but it's not a good idea...

 

[Grand Prix]

It would have been an awesome idea in the 1930s. GP racing has changed a bit since then though.

 

[niky]

This is why Formula One should simply become a fuel formula.

Yeah... chaos for the first two seasons... hundreds of millions of dollars in engine development going left and right... but if everyone has to finish a race on a set amount of gasoline (say... they have to do at least 4 kilometers to a liter), then we might see an interesting (and probably very slow) series.

 

[LMSCorvetteGT2]

I don't see how some people still can't get behind V6 turbo engines...More torque than the four or 8 cylinders especially when you do a inline 6 instead and you have the power as well. I think we can expect to see VW as long as six cylinder engines are around. This fits their bottom line alot more especially with the Audi line. We look at Audi and we know that they can build an amazing V6 Diesel and they have experience with non diesel V6 engines. So...really all they'd have to do is similar to Renault and Red Bull and switch over the manufacture emblem to Audi or Porsche like Renault to Infinity. I agree with Niky on this.

 

[GTPorsche]

This is why Formula One should simply become a fuel formula.

Yeah... chaos for the first two seasons... hundreds of millions of dollars in engine development going left and right... but if everyone has to finish a race on a set amount of gasoline (say... they have to do at least 4 kilometers to a liter), then we might see an interesting (and probably very slow) series.

That won't go over well with the drivers. They are already complaining that other series are catching them in speeds. F1 is about pushing the limits.

 

[Moot]

I think VW would have gone for it earlier if the 4cyl rules had gone ahead. Maybe they are hoping by 2018 the engines will be 50% combustion 4cyl and 50% electric. VW are just starting to do a raft of Hybrid cars for 2013/2014.

 

[Robin]

I wonder if they will enter as VW or put Audi / Bentley / Bugatti branding on the car. Bugatti would be epic.

 

[hawkeye122]

I wonder if they will enter as VW or put Audi / Bentley / Bugatti branding on the car. Bugatti would be epic.

They could run 4 cars, like Red Bull.
Call the first 2 "Bugatti" - get all the Lotus-ie heritage stuff, and then have the other 2 be Audi/ Porsche.

On another thought, VW should do like Renault wants to, and just be an engine supplier. Imagine the Red Bull-Audi marketing juggernaut spanning DTM, Dakar, and F1. Also be good to see Audi stick their engine wins to Mercedes' engine wins.
Realistically, I plan to see VW as an engine supplier before running a whole works team. Turbo 6's; Diesel, Hybrid, or Petrol seem like they would be right up VW's alley. Especially if they allow a Flat-6 Turbo, that fits right in with Porsche and consumer marketability with the Boxter and Cayman (Too small displacement for a 911?)

Or if it was a V6, I can see a range of new hot Audi saloons and estates.

 

[prisonermonkeys]

They could run 4 cars, like Red Bull.
Call the first 2 "Bugatti" - get all the Lotus-ie heritage stuff, and then have the other 2 be Audi/ Porsche.

Except that VAG have a policy of not letting their marques compete against one another.

 

[hawkeye122]

Then why is Porsche allegedly coming back to LMP?

 

[prisonermonkeys]

Then why is Porsche allegedly coming back to LMP?

Because Audi is leaving. The cynics among us say that this have been done so that Audi cannot threaten Porsche's Le Mans record.

 

[hawkeye122]

Because Audi is leaving. The cynics among us say that this have been done so that Audi cannot threaten Porsche's Le Mans record.

Good to know that you at least changed some of Mike Rotch's words before using them here

 

[prisonermonkeys]

So I'm supposed to be able to remember what Mike said in a thread a month ago, a thread that I have not visited for that same month?

 

[Pupik]

Because Audi is leaving. The cynics among us say that this have been done so that Audi cannot threaten Porsche's Le Mans record.

Good to know that you at least changed some of Mike Rotch's words before using them here

If I was only allowed to use my own thoughts for the motorsport section, I would have nothing to say...after all, I would be copying a book, magazine, blog, telecast, radio broadcast, internet site, Excel file, or something like that.

Don't be a putz.

 

[Seismica]

Lamborghini in F1 anyone? I think they've been an engine supplier before, but an actual team?

 

[Pupik]

Lamborghini in F1 anyone?

Been there, sort of. Of course, that was back in the Chrysler daze.

In 1991, a proposed Mexican F1 team left the restaurant without paying the bill, left the check to Lamborghini, who was the engine supplier. Thus, they didn't really care much to develop a challenger for the following season. I think it qualified 2-3 times all season...kind of forgot about them until now. It was an interestingly, odd-looking car, to be honest.