Rumors from Germany

[dgoldbe2]

Interesting thing I found from GrandPrix.com:

An interesting rumour from Germany

According to reports in Germany Volkswagen boss Bernd Pischetsrieder and Red Bull boss Dietrich Mateschitz have been talking about deals in the future in Formula 1. The stories say that former BMW Motorsport boss Gerhard Berger is in the middle of all the intrigue.

It should be said at this point that there are regular rumours about Volkswagen but nothing has yet come of it.

The lastest rumour suggests that VW's Audi offshoot would provide engines to Red Bull Racing and Squadra Toro Rosso in 2008. If that is successful, so goes the theory, the German car manufacturer would then take over Squadra Toro Rosso and run the team with Volkswagen branding. The theory is that the Audi engines would be built for the German company by Mario Illien, although traditionally the company has done its own engines at Ingoldstadt where there is a large and very successful engine development department. Having said that when Mercedes-Benz entered F1 it did so hiding behind the Ilmor name. The other name that has been mentioned in relation to the project is former Toyota man Norbert Kreyer. In Austria there is already talk that Red Bull is going to develop a technology park for Volkswagen at the A1 Ring and logically this would mean that one or both teams would be relocated to Austria which would fit in with Mateschitz's desire to be a national hero in his home land.

Might we see an Audi or VW branded Formula One team?

I, for one, hope so.

[marvins_dad]

I knew that Red Bull had purchased Minardi - so next year there will be 4 Red Bull cars on the track. I think the Minardi/Red Bull cars are to retain the old Ferrari engines/design next year, so I wonder if they would replace the Menardi cars or the Cosworth ones....hmmmmm, interesting!

[Smileybug]

Hmmm...very interesting. I like F1 racing...definately would be neat to see a VW car out there on the track. Wonder who they would get to drive for them...

[dgoldbe2]

Originally Posted by Smileybug

Hmmm...very interesting. I like F1 racing...definately would be neat to see a VW car out there on the track. Wonder who they would get to drive for them...

If the deal is with Red Bull, they will have no problems getting drivers. The reason Red Bull bought Minardi, was because they have too many drivers, and not enough cars in the various racing series to put them in.

Right now, I believe they have 8 drivers in their Formula One driver training program.

The exciting bit is that American, Scott Speed should be racing in 2006

[marvins_dad]

Exactly - I think I had heard that one of their main goals was to get an American racing in Formula One again.