Volkswagen mulling over Formula One entry
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Is Volkswagen considering an entry to Formula One? Well if a latest media report is to be believed, then the ace German auto group is conducting a feasibility study for the same. According to the report, research is being lead by former Ferrari team principal Stefano Domenicali, who joined VW's Audi brand earlier this year. The report also mentioned that VW's interest in F1 has been spurred by Mercedes' recent championship victory and the numerous marketing potential that Formula One offers.
However, F1 commercial boss Bernie Ecclestone and Volkswagen Chairman Ferdinand Piech have had a rocky relationship so far, therefore Volkswagen's entry is unlikely, until any of the two leave their current positions.
The German group was amongst the car manufacturers that took the final decision on the new turbo hybrid engine rules, which made its way into Formula One this season. Still VW denied its entry at that time, and haven't changed its stance since then. But with these new developments, now the top management believes that F1 would be a more effective global promotional tool than its on-going motorsport programmes. Currently the group has three main motorsport programmes- Audi and Porsche in the World Endurance Championship, Audi in the German Touring Car Championship (DTM) and Volkswagen in the World Rally Championship.
Without any official words, VW Chairman Martin Winterkorn hinted about the same last month in an interview, saying, “Our brands in motorsport are as successful as ever, whether in the DTM with Audi or Le Mans with Audi and Porsche, or in the World Rally Championship with Volkswagen. We feel we have really good position."
