Audi in Formula 1 in 2005?

[Trebor]

The chance is present that Audi will take over the Jaguar Formula 1 team. That claims at least German newspapers. Audi will have ordered fifty millions euro on Jaguar. Audi would be in expectation of the response of Jaguar. As Audi effectively Jaguar take over, Nick Heidfeld will become driver. Audi already rather the formula 1. Wanted by the guarantee of 48 millions euro became that their belet. That problem does not have Audi in any case if they take over Jaguar.

Translated with: world.altavista.com/tr

[Peter Mallett]

Trebor.

Whilst something is lost in the translation and whilst it is also speculation, it fits with my theory of a "high end" owner. Audi/VAG own Bugatti I beleive. As such they have a name.

The other side of that, is their continuing success in sportscars. Although the rules are changing so maybe they see this as a good time to jump ship.

[mac]

VAG could brand the team any of Audi, Bugatti, Lamborghini, Seat, Skoda or Volkswagen. I don't think that's the problem.

I don't think VAG would jump unless they had concrete evidence of cost reduction, as this is what has prevented them jumping in the past.

[ASCII Man]

Oooh, Bugatti/Lamborghini!
The prospect alone is mouthwatering!

[climb]

Considering the budget Audi used to invest in sportscars, well, it shouldn't be too hard to jump ship.

[BootsOntheSide]

Audi have probably acheived all the publicity they will ever get out of Sportscars, and they haven't beaten major manufacturers to the title in the last couple of years. As the regulations are about to change, it could be the ideal time to move on.

If the regulations change to make F1 cheaper, it could also be the ideal time to enter F1.

I hope they use their own name thoguh, rather than trying to get heritage and prestige out of a name like Bugatti. It'd be the same hollow marketing gesture as the use of the once-proud Jaguar image by soulless and thoughtless execs.

[Kicking-back]

Agreed.

I hope it uses the Audi name.

A pairing of Heidfeld and McNish would be good.

[Russfeld]

Volkswagen would be better

[Kicking-back]

Very good point, Russfeld.

Hadn't even let that cross my mind.

You're right though.

[Glen]

Skoda F1. Fabulous! Imagine the shame of being outraced by a Skoda!

[GP Racer]

For me, the Lamborghini badge is the way to go. The competition between them and Ferrari, two of the worlds premier supercar makers, would cause some real excitement.

Audi would be OK also, because they do directly compete with BMW, and Mercedes in the car market. Wouldn't cause as much excitement though, IMO.

The Volkswagen name still doesn't belong in the F1 ranks though. They are going more upscale as of late, but there not there yet.

But in the end, who cares which badge they use, just get in!

[Attila]

You all seem to forget the Porsche is also part of the VW group. It is very likely that they will use that brand one way or another.

I am happy to see VW coming to F1, but on the other hand I was hoping that they would enter F1 with Sauber.

[Kicking-back]

If VW are coming in, better it be with the current Jag team, than Sauber. Supplying Sauber would not keep two "extra" cars on the grid.

[Mal]

Porsche is not part of the VW group

[Kicking-back]

Indeed not.

I was wondering what that reference was about!

[gwyllion]

Originally posted by GP Racer
The Volkswagen name still doesn't belong in the F1 ranks though. They are going more upscale as of late, but there not there yet.

What about Renault and Toyota?

[Attila]

Mal you are right. I always thought that they are because Porsche uses VW's sales network in many countries.

[ASCII Man]

Or *gasp* Honda?

[Peter Mallett]

Maserati. That's a name with a fmailiar ring to it.

[Snrub]

It doesn't make sense for a company to spend $400M a year on a brand that sells a small number of premium vehicles. The manufacturers do it for marketing, so can they justify $400M of marketing in only one area? Ferrari is the exception because they sell a lot of cars (relative to their high prices).

Very basic guess: $400,000,000 (expense) / $100,000 (profit per car) = 4000 cars

So they have to sell atleast thousands of cars as a result of increased marketing activities in F1 and assume that it's the most cost effective way to do it. My profit guess is probably overly optimistic. The numbers don't add up.

[GP Racer]

Originally posted by gwyllion
What about Renault and Toyota?

Renault, Toyota, and Honda differ with Volkswagen, simply because they've been involved with many different types of racing over the years. They have been around the racing world for awhile, and have a wealth of expierience.

Volkswagen, to my knowledge, hasn't been, and to think they can start out in racing at its highest level, F1, is probably not realistic or the way to go.

[jhansen]

F1 would hardly be their first start in racing. Me thinks you might want to check the record books. Particularly the past five years. Their development program of the R8 is quite impressive. They definitely have proved that they can take a well conceived design from the drawing board and make it a successful winner. The R8 had a much larger budget than most think, although granted it was nowhere near Formula 1.

With that said, I hope they steer clear of F1, especially at this particular point in time. Let the R9 come forth!

[nkh]

Volkswagen the brand, not VAG.

[JohnMiller]

I thought VAG was a significant shareholder in Porsche?

[jhansen]

Are VAG not relevant? They would be the ones funding and conducting the operations. Volkswagen is just a brand name.