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F1 engine switch came after Audi bailed

Noah Joseph — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 09:01:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Technology, Audi

The debate over the next Formula One engine specifications pitted the automakers currently participating in the sport against each other, as some (like Renault) were in favor of the proposed turbo four regulations, and others (like Ferrari and Mercedes) were vehemently against it. But if the latest reports hold any water, it may have come down, not to the existing suppliers, but to courting new ones. One new one, as a matter of fact.

According to Red Bull technical chief Adrian Newey, Audi had indicated that it would be ready to join the F1 grid if they switched to turbocharged four-cylinder engines as proposed. So in order to entice the German automaker to join, the others agreed to the switch. However, once Audi reportedly pulled an about-face and withdrew its commitment, the plan fell through. And, as a V6 would reportedly be easier to package into an F1 chassis than an inline-four, the remaining manufacturers backed the new format instead. So there you go.

F1 engine switch came after Audi bailed originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 01 Jul 2011 09:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Volkswagen rumored to decide by year-end on F1 program for 2013

Noah Joseph — Tue, 26 Oct 2010 07:59:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Audi, Porsche, Volkswagen, Rumormill

Formula 3 Dallara-Volkswagen

Some rumors come and go, while others stick around better than a roll of masking tape. Reports of Volkswagen's entrance into F1 clearly falls under the latter, but this time we have a timeframe.

According to the latest, Volkswagen motorsport chief Hans-Joachim Stuck - a former grand prix driver and Le Mans winner himself - has indicated that the growing automotive empire will make a decision by the end of the year (likely in November) on whether it will enter the Formula One World Championship in 2013.

If and when it does, VW AG could label its program under any of its brands. Audi was initially tipped to be the favorite, but with its Le Mans program already dominating, recent reports indicate that Porsche could get the nod for a come-back, having supplied TAG-branded engines to McLaren in the '80s. Volkswagen's own roundel could alternatively be tasked, but other group subsidiaries seem unlikely.

The decision will likely be linked to the direction that the series will take in terms of future engine development. The company could, meanwhile, opt to buy out an existing team - Sauber, HRT and Toro Rosso are said to be on the market - or team up with an existing one (like Williams) to enter the sport.

[Source: Racers-Republic]

Volkswagen rumored to decide by year-end on F1 program for 2013 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 26 Oct 2010 07:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Volkswagen group reportedly considering entering F1

Noah Joseph — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 08:24:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Audi, Porsche, Volkswagen, Rumormill

Formula 3 Dallara-Volkswagen

Automakers appear to be pulling out of Formula One en masse. Jaguar and Ford withdrew a few years ago already, Honda canceled its participation at the end of last season, BMW is leaving at the end of this one, and both Toyota and Renault are reportedly considering canceling their programs as well. But one major automaker is now reported to be closely considering entering the fray: the Volkswagen group.

Soon-to-be the world's largest automaker, VW stands as one of the largest automakers having never participated in the sport. Auto Union competed in pre-war grands prix, Porsche participated briefly back in the '60s, and Lamborghini provided engines to a handful of teams a couple of decades ago. But that's about the extent of it.

As budgets constrict with each passing season, however, a senior VW executive in the Far East has reportedly indicated that the company is considering entering the sport, but that budgets would have to fall even further to make it financially viable for the German auto group. If it did, however, the conglomerate's participation - whether as a constructor or engine supplier - could be branded as Volkswagen, Audi or Porsche.

[Source: F1-Live]

Volkswagen group reportedly considering entering F1 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 09 Oct 2009 08:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Theissen: more automakers considering entering F1

Noah Joseph — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 18:02:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports

According to Mario Theissen, a number of carmakers are carefully thinking about getting into Formula One. Theissen is head of BMW Motorsports, and after running the Bavarian automakers foray into engine supply in partnership with the Williams team, led the company towards buying the Sauber team wholesale. In a short span of time and with minimal investment, Theissen has transformed the team from a solid midfield contender to a legitimate challenger for the championship alongside McLaren and Ferrari. Theissen believes that other automakers, inspired by BMW's success, are re-examining the prospect of joining Formula One. The BMW chief also believes that the development of the Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS) being implemented in F1 is a strong motivator for automaker participation, noting that BMW's own R&D departments are anxiously knocking at Sauber's door to derive road-going systems based on KERS.

Although Formula One presents a lackluster case for American automakers, many of the world's leading foreign manufacturers participate in the sport, including BMW, Renault, Mercedes-Benz, Fiat, Honda and Toyota. So who does that leave? Theissen says Volkswagen/Audi/Porsche are closely considering entering F1, along with several unnamed Asian automakers. Although its sister company Renault already runs a team, Nissan has been touted as a possible entry. More likely, however, is that Hyundai/Kia will seek the prominence and the technology to go with its rise in the ranks by joining the fray.

[Source: F1-Live, Photo: Mark Thompson/Getty]

Theissen: more automakers considering entering F1 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 07 Jul 2008 18:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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