Audi F1 ???

[lofty]

On the BBC web page a bloke fron Red Bull said they would leave F1 unless Audi help them with engines and hybrid system. Yet another rumour 'bout the F1 AND VW group.

[cja]

It's odd, all this Audi to F1 stuff, as I really can't see how F1 would benefit Audi, unless it's with a diesel engine, & we know what the Poisoned Dwarf feels about any radical changes.

I can imagine Red Bull in the WEC, though.......a progressive formulae and free-range for Newey to have a play with, once he's finished with his pond yachts, of course........

[Kristof]

http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/05/18/uk-motor-racing-audi-f-idUKKBN0O312V20150518?irpc=932

Germany's Audi has no plans to enter Formula One, the company said on Monday, seeking to end speculation that the sportscar maker was tempted to broaden its commitment to motor racing.

"This is not a topic for us," a spokesman for the premium brand, which is owned by Volkswagen (VOWG_p.DE), said.

German daily Handelsblatt on Monday reported that Audi Chief Executive Rupert Stadler had ruled out an entry into Formula One after speculation of a partnership with former champions Red Bull.
 
"Formula One needs to solve its problems on its own," Handelsblatt quoted Stadler as saying in its Monday edition. The sport, in which Ferrari and Mercedes race, is seeking to make cars faster and louder again to maintain its allure.

Last week Stadler was quoted as saying Formula One remained an option for Audi. He told Britain's Auto Express magazine website that "in life you must keep things open", in response to a question about the sport.

There has long been speculation about whether Audi might be tempted into Formula One, and it increased after Volkswagen's (VOWG_p.DE) Chairman Ferdinand Piech quit last month.

Piech was seen as being strongly opposed to Formula One where top teams have annual budgets of over $200 million.

Audi competes in the Le Mans annual endurance race, the German Touring Car series and the fledgling Formula E competition for electric powered cars.

[Canada Phil]

Piech Quit ?? Threw the toys out of the pram and went off in a huff??
Why would a Chairman quit? Inquiring minds care....a little but not much 
Phil

[Snoring Rhino]

I saw an interview between Bernie and Eddie when Eddie asked about Piech saying that "Audi would not enter F1 while he was in charge? Bernie shrugged his shoulders and said "I haven't heard that"  Heard but not heard?

[lofty]

Sounds like Viki Pollard is the PR girl. Well you see Berni, well she a slag and see did it with you know how, but i cant say but, yea,but no, but yea, but yea but. etc...

[lofty]

On the BBC page today VW close to buying out Red Bull F1. There must be something init, because Eddie Jordan said so!

[mgmark]

I can see manufacturers moving away from diesel more towards petrol given what's been going on in recent years, at least in Europe - having encouraged switching to diesel for a decade or two the reverse is being encouraged now. So one of the big manufacturers moving in that direction and showcasing it in F1 might not be so surprising.

While loads of manufacturers are playing with hybrids and EVs, I suspect Audi has another card up its sleeve in the diesel game - google "diesel synthetic fuel" and see what they've been doing with air and water this year.....

MG Mark

[geoffd]

Can't see it myself,  Unless VW are going to re-launch the Auto Union brand....

Audi couldn't use diesel in F1, and as we all know F1 would cost far more than they spend in the WEC and DTM

[lofty]

Audi dont need to benefit. Bugatti, Lamborghini, Porsche, Seat, Skoda F1 !!!! Ducati or even MAN trucks could be the badge on a VAG car. But would the company leave WEC. That is the point.

[Andy Zarse]

I can see manufacturers moving away from diesel more towards petrol given what's been going on in recent years, at least in Europe - having encouraged switching to diesel for a decade or two the reverse is being encouraged now. So one of the big manufacturers moving in that direction and showcasing it in F1 might not be so surprising.

While loads of manufacturers are playing with hybrids and EVs, I suspect Audi has another card up its sleeve in the diesel game - google "diesel synthetic fuel" and see what they've been doing with air and water this year.....

MG Mark

Very prescient words Sir, in view of this week's shenanigans coming to light. Audi will be lucky to enter the local banger oval with the financial reaming coming their way.

The grand deceit of VAG must surely give cause for short term concern for the future of diesels at Le Mans. Audi's whole raison d'etre must now be in doubt, not to mention the billions they have to find to cover fines and product recalls. It's perfectly possible we won't be seeing them back at Sarthe any time soon. One must wonder if their software cheating extended as far as pulling the wool over the eyes of a compliant ACO?

[mgmark]

Indeed, interesting times ahead and it will be interesting to see how they respond, given that one of their reasons to go racing was develpoment and pitching to the US adage of "win on a Sunday, sell on a Monday".  And when under financial pressure, racing and development are one of the first to go. 

That said Le Mans has been a great R&D ground for them - aside from better injection systems, fuel economy and emissions (ooopzs....) how else would road cars have benefited by getting those immensely annoying led light strings..... mind you, having mentioned their production of synthetic diesel, they've also been developing the gas and petrol equivalents. So, maybe we'll see a new Garage 56 entry....

MG Mark