Audi Entering F1...

[Canadian Turbo]

After countless rumors, Audi is finally primed to compete in Formula One.

Citing "senior Audi officials," Car Magazine is reporting Audi will withdraw from all their current motorsport activities - including DTM and the WEC - and team up with Red Bull to enter Formula One in 2018.

As one insider told the publication, "The idea is to use the Red Bull team as a door opener. Why Red Bull? Because of their success and experience, because of their top-class infrastructure and of course also because of the pending sponsorship agreement."

The report goes on to say the team will be run by Stefano Domenicali and the company intends to be a serious competitor for the world championship by 2020.

The project hasn't officially been signed off yet but Car is reporting the company's board of directors intends to go ahead with the plan.

[100%VAGitarian]

Re: Audi Entering F1...

Interesting. I also read that Red Bull was going to quit at the end of the season if a deal with Ferrari could not be reached, to have them supply works spec engines to them. VW may purchase the team and use said engines until they have one developed by 2018 when the Ferrari engine deal ends. Eddie Jordan did hint about VW entering f1 but Horner shrugged it off saying that it was great they were showing interest but it was all speculation at the time. Oh the f1 circus is amusing.

[Deuce]

Re: Audi Entering F1...

Sweet. First Gene Haas... now Audi. Maybe get BMW back in the game too and let's mix this F1 grid up!
Looking forward to more "official" news though as F1 is full of "pseido substantiated rumours" daily!

[bobkatkat]

Re: Audi Entering F1...

The timing couldn't be better for this. VW/Audi in F1! So much experience in DTM translates well to F1. Not to mention all the skills in software and firmware to get around regulations translates well to F1. All joking around, F1 is built on pushing regulations to the edge, skirting around them, getting slapped on the wrist, then starting all over for the next season and new regulations. I see a F1 Constructors Championship for Audi in 2020!!

[PRY4SNO]

Re: Audi Entering F1...

It would be weird to see the brand compete in F1 when their hallmark is quattro.

I know that the LeMans cars from the R8 up to the current versions (that aren't hybrids) are all RWD, but Audi strikes me as being a better fit racing at Dakar or in WRC than F1.

Considering the heritage, wouldn't it make more sense for the VW Group to field a Bugatti team?

[bobkatkat]

Re: Audi Entering F1...

It would be weird to see the brand compete in F1 when their hallmark is quattro.

I know that the LeMans cars from the R8 up to the current versions (that aren't hybrids) are all RWD, but Audi strikes me as being a better fit racing at Dakar or in WRC than F1.

Considering the heritage, wouldn't it make more sense for the VW Group to field a Bugatti team?

Ya there are of other badges under the umbrella that would work Lambo, Bugatti etc. But Audi has had bad experiences in road racing and rally with Quattros. They dominated WRC then were banned. The Group also has good showing in WRC with Seat and VW Polo which I believe are still competing using Quattro over Haldex. Audi quattro dominated the GT class in the late 90s and early 20's with the B5 S4 and C5 RS6. They were so dominant over the Porsche, Ferrari, Corvette, Viper brand that they were constantly having weight added to them. I the final season, when Audi threw in the towel and pulled the RS6 out they were running a weight penalty and throttle plate govern that had the cars 400lbs heavier and down 150HP over one you could drive out of the Dealer showroom. I think that was the final straw for quattro in manufacturer road racing. You could see the shift of Audi racing to Le mans and DTM. Audi has done well with Redbull Racing in the DTM. I am blown away at how similar the DTM series is compared to F1. The performance is very similar with the F1 restrictions.

[Circuits]

Re: Audi Entering F1...

...if they even have the money to do this after paying for #dieselgate....