VW consider F1 but only as an engine supplier

Saturday 28th November 2009

Volkswagen could make an appearance in Formula One in 2012, not as a manufacturer outfit but rather an engine supplier.

The 2012 Championship will see new engine regulations being introduced to the sport and depending on what direction these go, Volkswagen's Hans-Joachim Stuck admits the German carmaker could be interested.

Stuck, however, ruled out the possibility of Volkswagen buying a Formula One team as they were rumoured to be considering several years ago.

"If you're the world's largest manufacturer is natural that we're thinking about (Formula 1), but not before 2012," he told Autosport.

"We're looking for innovative things, and Formula 1 is the pinnacle of motorsport. Two years ago there was some talk that Volkswagen is going to buy the Red Bull F1 team, which we didn't need to buy. Why should we stick with one team if we can give our engines to more teams?

"If you buy Red Bull and Adrian Newey wants to go flying or fishing, the team is not successful any more.

"Look at BMW. They bought this multi-million dollar wind tunnel and a supercomputer and they now close the doors. Building an engine and providing it to a team is the best way."

Stuck went on to explain that Formula One's decision to cut costs as well as the expanded grid, which in 2010 will include 26 cars, has made the sport more interesting as far as Volkswagen are concerned.

"Now it's amazing; Formula 1 goes the right way," he said. "Many manufacturers have pulled out, which I think is a great deal, because we have manufacturers that we don't know for how long they will do it.

"They should become engine manufacturers and then lease the engine, sell the engine or give it to somebody. Then you lose all the hassle with teams, wind tunnels, engineers, you know.

"It's like Formula 1 in my days. We had March, we had Lotus, and we had Ford engines. Then Renault came in as engine manufacturer, with a formidable engine. This was perfect.

"I followed Formula 1 for the last seven years with BMW and I always asked myself on the grid, with only 20 cars, what if we could have 30 cars? Now we're getting back to this.

"We have three more teams next year, 26 cars, and by having a global engine, which is good in cost and reliable, we can have 30 cars on the grid."

Your Comments

Brent

"It may be age but Bugatti would be my choice of VW company badges."

WOMBAT_F1

"Engine supply is far better method for car makers to have their brand exposed without the huge cost & responsibility of running a team. If success comes at this level they can then evaluate whether to take the next step. They could watch thier compatriots at Mercedes over the next few years for some valuable lessons."