F1 "too unpredictable" for VW

[LaurasOtherHalf]

According to Wolfgang Durheimer, VW's head of Motorsport in this months evo magazine anyway.

"this years F1 season is exciting for fans, but all the uncertainty as to who will win is making it hard for me to recommend to the VW board we should enter the sport. It's too unpredictable - if you put the effort in, you should have a good chance of winning. But at the moment it's too random who wins, so I am not interested."

[dtrump]

Sounds like an excuse to me. It may seem too unpredictable, but really its just levelled the field a bit.

The usual top teams are winning. Maldonado may be disliked by many but you can't deny the guy is fast so deserved the win.. As soon as Senna, Vergne etc start winning then we have a problem.

VW should get stuck in for a year or two imo

[Scuffers]

disagree, he's right, it's too random, so what's the point?

[Eric Mc]

The brand "VW" and F1 just don't go.

I presume they much prefer the total predicatbility the group (through its Audi branch) has achieved at Le Mans.

[Scuffers]

Eric Mc said:

The brand "VW" and F1 just don't go.

I presume they much prefer the total predicatbility the group (through its Audi branch) has achieved at Le Mans.

if you mean by that they prefer a race/championship where they have a realistic chance to win based on their technical superiority, then yes.

entering F1 would cost them huge money (more them LeMans does now), without a clear direction if which way it's heading both technically and sporting regs wise, who in their right mind would commit that kind of money? (and justifiy it to their board/shareholders)

[dtrump]

Eric Mc said:

The brand "VW" and F1 just don't go.

True but Ferrari vs Lamborghini in F1 would be pretty sweet, even if it is all german with a lambo badge

[Eric Mc]

Lamborghini did have a go as an engine supplier in the 1990s. It was an embarrassment.

Big manufacturers should always be reticent about geting into F1. It is a massive risk for their image and can often do more damage than good - especially when you consider the large sums involved - just ask Toyota.

For VW, the REAL unpredictability that scares them is the unpredictability that ALWAYS exists in F1 i.e. the risk that the effort can fail and their brand image might be damaged.

[Scuffers]

Eric Mc said:

Lamborghini did have a go as an engine supplier in the 1990s. It was an embarrassment.

VAG - Lamborghini now is nothing like back then

Eric Mc said:

Big manufacturers should always be reticent about geting into F1. It is a massive risk for their image and can often do more damage than good - especially when you consider the large sums involved - just ask Toyota.

For VW, the REAL unpredictability that scares them is the unpredictability that ALWAYS exists in F1 i.e. the risk that the effort can fail and their brand image might be damaged.

no, I am sure it there was more stability in tech regs etc, with clear vision of where it's heading, then they would look at it more favourably, but with the current farce we have, why would then even consider it?

[jbudgie]

It would be nice to see VW in F1, but I agree, it is too random at the moment.

[Eric Mc]

Very few large motor manufacturers are ever prepared to enter into F1. It has ALWAYS been difficult and unpredictable for them. On rare occasions it works out -often it doesn't.

Most manufacturers are happier to do it at arm's length - so that if it does flop they can maintain a distance from the negative fall out and recriminations.

In the current economic climate, I don't see any major car manufacturers wanting to jump into F1 - and it has absolutely nothing to do with the technical regulations.

[hiccy]

Seems to me that a switch to smaller turbo'd engines would suit the Seat brand well.

I don't understand the comments on this years "random" results, a look at the current drivers and constructors points tables confirms that the talent is firmly at the top; what's random about that?

[m444ttb]

With the prospect of what feels like a more road relevant engine formula in V6 turbos I'd have thought that would be a good option for them. They wouldn't start behind and could supply a couple of teams. You could even badge them differently e.g. a Red Bull - Lamborghini and a McLaren - Audi (ive not pit any thought into that btw!). I could never see them entering as a full constructor though.

[Scuffers]

m444ttb said:

With the prospect of what feels like a more road relevant engine formula in V6 turbos I'd have thought that would be a good option for them.

it's st like that that will be the death of F1.

[otolith]

"We're not playing if we have to compete"

Perfectly reasonable from a business point of view, but casts a poor light on the sporting credentials of those forms of motorsport they are willing to take part in.

[m444ttb]

Perhaps. We've enjoyed a great period of big n/a engines and it will be a shame. But we managed on 4cyl turbos once.

[HeatonNorris]

m444ttb said:

Perhaps. We've enjoyed a great period of big n/a engines and it will be a shame. But we managed on 4cyl turbos once.

They were mostly V6 turbos - I think only BMW had any success with a 4-pot turbo.

[m444ttb]

It was the BMW I was thinking of. But still. Perhaps it will go full circle and back to V12's by 2025! If only

[Fire99]

Scuffers said:

disagree, he's right, it's too random, so what's the point?

I agree. Regardless of cost-saving initiatives etc, F1 is hugely expensive to embark upon and as 'interesting' as this season is, it's gone a bit too 'wacky-races' for a potential team to take the risk.

[Wombat3]

Eric Mc said:

The brand "VW" and F1 just don't go.

I presume they much prefer the total predicatbility the group (through its Audi branch) has achieved at Le Mans.

Lamborghini/Audi/Porsche/Bently/Bugatti - take your pick, its all VW.

[HeatonNorris]

Hmmm, Honda did eventually buy success, but they made the mistake of bailing out early, so the success will never be associated with them, even though it was done with their money.