Audi to join F1 in 2016

[woof]

Insiders at Audi and its parent, the Volkswagen Group, have revealed that Audi is set to abandon both Germany’s touring car championship (the DTM) and the iconic Le Mans 24 Hour race in favour of the world’s top open-wheel formula.

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/audi/89171/audi-to-jo...

[AtWork]

Damnit, beat me to it - I had it on my clipboard ready to paste!

Will be a shame from a Le Mans point of view, but then Porsche, Toyota and Nissan aren't exactly going to be boring if this season has been anything to go by...

[Crafty_]

Its like groundhog day.

Not holding my breath.

[BritishRacinGrin]

...does this mean they're going to make an engine

ETA: Ah, yes. Answered my own question.

[woof]

Let's hope their base isn't going to be at Leafield !

[MG511]

Is this being reported anywhere more reputable/believable than Auto Express?

[HorneyMX5]

So according to that piece they're looking at taking over either STR or RBR and running their own engine. Interesting!

[Munter]

AtWork said:

Damnit, beat me to it - I had it on my clipboard ready to paste!

Will be a shame from a Le Mans point of view, but then VAG, Toyota and Nissan aren't exactly going to be boring if this season has been anything to go by...

Sneeky edit *cough*

[TVR1]

MG511 said:

Is this being reported anywhere more reputable/believable than Auto Express?

yeah.....

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

Although I was 6 months shy. Source was Wolfgang Ullrich but couldn't say so at the time.

[Scuffers]

believe it when I see it.

[MG511]

TVR1 said:

yeah.....

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

Although I was 6 months shy. Source was Wolfgang Ullrich but couldn't say so at the time.

But you said 'A new team from scratch, no buyout of a current team', which is not what the AE article says. Still very sceptical.

[MissChief]

I wouldn't be surprised if they bought some of the STR kit and maybe even their entry too.

As said though, they've said it many times previously, I will only truly believe it when I see their name on the official FIA entry list.

[old'uns]

the report Lotterer put in must have been a good one then

[Derek Smith]

Could this have anything to do with the threat of expensive 3-car teams?

It gives an argument that the worst will be over in one season.

[suffolk009]

Ah! Just put a big post on the Alonso/Vettel thread

Interesting about Red Bull scaling back and becoming just a sponsor in the conventional sense. Which makes sense, race teams (like businesses, economies, any sports team) have cycles of success. Mateschitz probably will want to spend much less money if he's likely to be coming 2nd or 3rd for the next few years.

F1 aside, it should make LeMans a bit more interesting!

[Crafty_]

Mermaid said:

BMW, please come back.

I don't think there is much chance of that at all.

[Mermaid]

Mercedes, Audi, BMW, Audi,Renault, Kia, Honda,Toyota, Lotus.....too much to hope for.

[Crafty_]

Mermaid said:

Mercedes, Audi, BMW, Audi,Renault, Kia, Honda,Toyota, Lotus.....too much to hope for.

Merc are in
Audi - just don't see it happening
BMW - tried a few years ago and decided it wasn't to their liking, working with Williams failed and their attempt at team ownership was a bit half hearted
Renault - in as engine manufacturer, they wont own a team again
Kia - maybe, but Im not sure it would be attractive as a advertisement for their products
Honda - in as engine manufacturer
Toyota - no chance after their last sojourn
Lotus - in name only, doubt theyd ever do any more than that.

[DanB7290]

Mermaid said:

Mercedes, Audi, BMW, Audi,Renault, Kia, Honda,Toyota, Lotus.....too much to hope for.

Kia F1 would certainly be interesting. They'd probably still have a 7 year warranty.

[hdrflow]

Strange strategy from Audi if this is true. What are they're going to gain from F1? Tech wise WEC is superior when it comes to engines and far better rules to allow for continued development. Why would Audi be in F1 with its so many restrictions?

Mercedes had an excuse to develop hybrid tech in F1 and has been an engine supplier for so many years that it makes sense. But

http://joesaward.wordpress.com/2014/10/16/the-futu...

Joe Saward said:

There has been speculation that this could lead to Domenicali moving up in the Audi empire and one day replacing Wolfgang Ullrich as head of Audi Motorsport. There is little doubt that Audi is on the lookout for new management as Ullrich is now 64 and has been in the same job for 21 years, leading the Audi team to no fewer than 13 victories in the Le Mans 24 Hours. Perhaps it will be useful to have someone like Domenicali on its books if Audi does finally decide to enter F1, although this is largely speculative as the VW-owned brand is not going to do that until there are one of two changes in the way F1 is run.

One of those changes appears to be a wooden coat...

Whatever next I say.