2504 replies to this topic

[Brawn BGP 001]

Audi are on the verge of committing to an F1 entry, following the latest meeting of the World Motor Sport Council.

https://racingnews36...formula-1-plans

[Ben1445]

Just my two cents but I think they'll do it 

[Risil]

Sounds like it might happen.

 

Any word on whether it'll be a standalone programme or a partnership with Red Bull powertrains?

[Ross Stonefeld]

 

 

In a letter, sent by Audi CEO Markus Duesmann and Oliver Hoffmann from Audi's Board of Management to former FIA President Jean Todt - who was succeeded by Mohammed Ben Sulayem last week - as well as Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali, Audi congratulated the FIA on hosting a fair competition "literally until the last lap of the season".

 

"You were doing so well, but then..." 

[aray]

Hope so. They have a habit of backing out at the last moment.

[cpbell]

"You were doing so well, but then..." 

That's a backhanded compliment!

[SparkPlug86]

Pleased about this - it will be great for F1 for them to join. Hopefully Porsche will be part of this.

[macjim]

"You were doing so well, but then..." 

 

At least they know where they stand, sort of ish.

[iSpeedFreak]

Hopefully more details emerge and its a full factory set up. Would be nice to add a couple of teams giving more drivers a chance to race in F1

[Myrvold]

Hopefully more details emerge and its a full factory set up. Would be nice to add a couple of teams giving more drivers a chance to race in F1

 

I wish I shared your optimism!

[statman]

Rencken:

 

Audi tells FIA it intends to confirm F1 entry early next year · RaceFans

 

In an apparent swipe to rivals Mercedes, Duesmann and Hoffmann opened their the letter – seen by RaceFans – by congratulating Todt on what it regarded as a fair conclusion to this year’s Formula 1 championship. They referred specifically to the final lap, on which Max Verstappen passed Lewis Hamilton to clinch the title following a controversial restart, which Mercedes considered appealing against for four days before backing down.  

[Risil]

Seems to have gone a bit quiet on buying McLaren.

[SophieB]

Seems to have gone a bit quiet on buying McLaren.

I was just going to say are they achieving this by buying McLaren 

https://forums.autos...-5#entry9671462

[Clrnc]

This would be huge. Audi finally in F1 would be a dream come true for many. 

[RainyAfterlifeDaylight]

Rebadging Honda PU and take care of the next set of PU regulations by adding resources and cash to RedBull PU department.

[Requiem84]

Rebadging Honda PU and take care of the next set of PU regulations by adding resources and cash to RedBull PU department.

How would Honda like this?

[onewingedangel]

I hope it's either as a works engine supplier to an existing team or a new entry rather than buying a historical team and withdrawing when the corporate winds change.

[P0inters]

I'd rather Porsche personally but just having another manufacturer in F1 would be massive. Especially one I expect to do well. Also great to see them taking swipes at Mercedes before they've even entered. 

[RA2]

Seems to have gone a bit quiet on buying McLaren.

McLaren's loss

[FLB]

Well, there's my first incorrect prediction for 2022... 

Edited by FLB, 20 December 2021 - 17:08.

[mclarensmps]

McLaren's loss

 

You sound bitter! It's okay, because I am too, but from the other side 

[New Britain]

Seems to have gone a bit quiet on buying McLaren.

The gratuitous swipe at Mercedes near the end certainly seems to suggest that they're going to do something with Red Bull. If they were going anywhere else (except AT), there would have been no reason to take that cheap shot.

[DS27]

Lets hope they don't bring their ethics from DTM with them

[Ivanhoe]

How would Honda like this?

That’s certainly written down in the IP license agreement with Red Bull.

[P123]

Makes sense they go with the ready made Honda engine if they want in without doing the hard work, and also given their previous lack of commitment it would be an easier sell.

[Requiem84]

That’s certainly written down in the IP license agreement with Red Bull.

Exactly - I can’t imagine them allowing a rebadging to another OEM name.

[Fastcake]

Are they very close to announcing they have no Formula One plans?

[Marklar]

the end of the meme

[RainyAfterlifeDaylight]

How would Honda like this?

I'm not sure but RedBull is the fastest way for Audi to be successful and It is a lucrative prospect for RedBull as well.

All in all Honda aren't interested in F1 anymore.

Edited by RainyAfterlifeDaylight, 20 December 2021 - 17:32.

[Requiem84]

I'm not sure but RedBull is the fastest way for Audi to be successfull and It is a lucrative prospect for RedBull as well.

RB would like Audi as partner, but Honda won’t allow Audi to step in with the Honda PU.

At best, Audi can step in during 2026. Or earlier, but then with their own PU and not the Honda PU.

[Tombstone]

"until the last lap of the season" can be interpreted in a couple of ways. Not as many as the FIA might like, but two for sure.

[YamahaV10]

I was just going to say are they achieving this by buying McLaren
https://forums.autos...-5#entry9671462

Then it's hardly a new entry. Just a change of ownership of a team.

[Izzyeviel]

They've clocked on that they don't need to build the best car to win, the FIA will arrange it for them if they just ask. Why wouldn't you join?

[Tombstone]

The last time an engine manufacturer joined the grid and won on their debut was 1967, Cosworth, obvs.

 

The last time an engine manufacturer won a championship on their debut was 1967, the first of the 3L heyday.

 

TAG (Porsche) won a championship in their first full season.

[Anja]

They've clocked on that they don't need to build the best car to win, the FIA will arrange it for them if they just ask. Why wouldn't you join?

 

So in around 10 years we'll learn that they actually started work on their multiple championship winning engine years ahead of everyone else cause they knew the upcoming rules beforehand? Sounds familiar...

[Nemo1965]

Just read that the Audi TT is the most reliable second hand car, like ever. So they have that covered at least.

[Francesc]

Nice way to enter F1 by trolling your rival.

[GiorgioF1]

Lmao Audi with an instant dig at Merc  

[pup]

Honda wouldn’t allow Audi to have their engine, obviously; but Audi would gain a substantial advantage from knowing every detail of the Honda and its manufacture. Info which Honda gleefully handed to Red Bull. Though I’m sure Horner wouldn’t just give that to Audi, honorable man that he is.

Edited by pup, 20 December 2021 - 18:40.

[timmy bolt]

I read that as a dig at the FIA...

[DeKnyff]

The last time an engine manufacturer joined the grid and won on their debut was 1967, Cosworth, obvs.

 

The last time an engine manufacturer won a championship on their debut was 1967, the first of the 3L heyday.

 

TAG (Porsche) won a championship in their first full season.

 

I'd say BMW won in his first year in 1982 (Canadian GP). The engine had been tested in 1981, but never raced IIRC.

[BRG]

I struggle to believe that Audi would want to rebadge an ex-Honda engine and get into bed with Red Bull, who will never give them credit if they win and will blame them if they fail.  If they come to F1, it ought to be as an Audi team with an Audi engine owing nothing to anyone else. I am still not sure it will happen either way.

[timmy bolt]

I struggle to believe that Audi would want to rebadge an ex-Honda engine and get into bed with Red Bull, who will never give them credit if they win and will blame them if they fail. If they come to F1, it ought to be as an Audi team with an Audi engine owing nothing to anyone else. I am still not sure it will happen either way.

It's a good way to get into the sport without going full commitment. Then they can do what Merc did and buy and develop a team once they have the engine side sorted.

Edited by timmy bolt, 20 December 2021 - 19:00.

[Ben1445]

I think they’ll develop one new engine and race it as both Audi and Porsche

[New Britain]

I think they’ll develop one new engine and race it as both Audi and Porsche

Agreed. Even under the new regulations, it would be crazy for the same company (VAG) to develop two different PUs in competition with each other.

[hansmann]

I struggle to believe that Audi would want to rebadge an ex-Honda engine and get into bed with Red Bull, who will never give them credit if they win and will blame them if they fail.  If they come to F1, it ought to be as an Audi team with an Audi engine owing nothing to anyone else. I am still not sure it will happen either way.

 

I agree, if Volkswagen got into F1, they'd most likely buy an entire team , no strings attached .

Especially if the developed an engine, now way there'd be a Red Bull management in charge .

[scheivlak]

I'd say BMW won in his first year in 1982 (Canadian GP). The engine had been tested in 1981, but never raced IIRC.

But Cosworth won their debut race - maybe that's what he meant.

[scheivlak]

 

 

The last time an engine manufacturer won a championship on their debut was 1967, the first of the 3L heyday.

 

 

I guess you meant 1966? 

[KeithD68]

Yet another year comes and goes with the almost annual rumours of Audi/Porsche/VW (cross out the names of your choice) joining F1

 

With much of Europe, US, etc banning the sale of new petrol and diesel cars from 2030-2035, I ask myself where is the marketing value for VAG?

 

Surely Formula E is the future for automotive OEMs and the place they should be sinking hundreds of millions of Euros?

[Tony Mandara]

Oh, how we love to court controversy..

"Congratulations on holding A FAIR championship UNTIL the last lap.."

Sounds more getting behind Mercedes and taking a dig at the FIA, to me..