What about Audi?

[Sharky]

Well they've totally dominated this year's 24 hours of le Mans....and it was said that they could be leaving that type of racing on a high. Now I don't think that they'll just quit racing but take the next step which is....F1 of course. It was rumored that they were interested in F1.....anyone heard anything lately?? Furthermore...since they'll have to enter either partnering with an existing team or buying it (as the grid is now full)....does anyone know with which team they would partner or with or buy?

[MichaelC]

I suspect that they would probably try a role as engine suppliers first. I guess it would be cheapest to go in with Minardi, and they could certainly use the help.

I guess that Arrows will also be looking for an engine soonish. Prost are unlikely, but they're the ones who are most in need presently, and I suppose they might even be talking to Jordan - Eddie seems to be chatting politely to most engine manufactures...

[Minardi fan]

I think Minardi or Arrows would be most likely.

However, I think we need to wait and see how the whole engine thing shakes out.

[Devlin]

I saw DSF News Centre yesterday and they mentioned Audi, HHF and Jordan in the same sentence...Right after that, though, they added that the information has been denied by Ingolstadt, but you know what they say, where there's smoke...

[Tristan]

Minardi must FIGHT for it's independance!! Howver, an Arrows-VW may not be so far off. Hyundai have also shown an interest in F1, as have GM. However, the spanish super-team, the Minardi/Telephonica/Seat(VW) deal, now seems off.

[Sharky]

Mhhhh...Hyundai in F1.....I don't think that will happen. I don't think that they have the technology to go to F1...at least not for now. Besides the're busy right now with the WRC cars.

Arrows with Audi....could be but I read that they're set to become renault's team #2 but if the team improoves Tom Walkingshaw (I didn't spell that right did I) could get a little "greedy" and look for an engine deal of his own.

Minardi....mhhh....no offense Minardi Fan but I think that after such a promising performance at Le Mans Audi will be trying to partner with a competitive team....that is, unless they would plan to buy an existing team....

And Jordan with Audi....that I would like to see. That team deserves an engine partner.

[Minardi fan]

Ah yes, but the one thing Minardi need to make them a competitive is the very thing Audi would provide - a decent engine.

[Sharky]

That's true MF. I tuly believe that the Minardi chasis is very good. But despite the fact that Minardi have doen miracles with their very low technical and financial resources, venturing into a brand new engine development could proove to be too much for the team to handle.....unless the engine manufacturer brought a lot of dough and a lot of technology to the team....but that's unlikely.