With Americans now owning F1, VW eyes possible entry (Update)
Earlier, it was suggested that amid the diesel emissions scandal, and VW's rumored disdain for Bernie Ecclestone's management style, the German car giant had ruled out entering the sport.
But Ecclestone is now gone, and Liberty Media has taken over and is promising changes.
"From my point of view, the whole topic is mixed up again. It is absolutely a new beginning," Wolfgang Durheimer, boss of the VW brands Bentley and Bugatti, told the German website motorsport-total.com.
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02/03/17 Formula 1 has a new face under the leadership of the new majority shareholders of Liberty. The Americans want to adapt the structures that trim events to more show and entertainment and open up new fanfares. This is intended to make the events more attractive, not only from the point of view of motorsport-inspired people, but also from the automobile manufacturers.
The first measures, including the replacement of Bernie Ecclestone and the introduction of Ross Brawn (Sport) and Sean Bratches (commercial), are already well received in Wolfsburg. The Volkswagen Group, who has repeatedly considered an entry into Formula One in the past but decided against it, may now re evaluate that decision.
"From my point of view, the whole topic is currently being mixed up again. It is an absolute new beginning," says Wolfgang Durheimer in conversation with Motorsport-Total.com. The Bentley and Bugatti brand managers are the company's authorized representative for the entire topic of motor sport. If a Volkswagen brand were to enter the Formula One, 58-year-old Jahrige Allgauer would have to give his blessing.
"If such a new start is to be recognized, then one must, of course, also put the previous decisions to the test and re-evaluate it," said Durheimer leaving the door a bit wide open.
In the past few years, a possible introduction of Audi into the Formula 1 had been speculated several times. Under the direction of former Ferrari team boss Stefano Domenicali, a feasibility study had been drafted, but in the winter of 2014/2015 it had once again decided against such a move.