It seems that few people can understand why VAG (Volkswagen Audi Group, the largest of the European car manufacturers, who also own the Bugatti and Lamborghini sports car companies) are not in some way associated with Formula 1. (Formula 1 is a predominantly European single-seat racing series, and is widely considered the pinnacle of the motorsport community — current US-schooled drivers include Juan Pablo Montoya and Scott Speed.)
The old argument that the group already competes in the World Rally Championship (with the Skoda brand) touring cars (with the Seat brand) and Le Mans (with the Audi brand) accounts for using up the group's competition budget. However, can it afford to stay that way for much longer?
Both BMW and Mercedes have got "big" teams in F1 now, and if VW wants to compete at the same level selling cars, then surely they need to compete at the same level in racing. Well then, this is where my thoughts come in. It seems that the Champ Car series no longer needs the Cosworth engine company due to its linkup with the IndyCart series — so will Forsyth and Kalkhoven sell the English engine company?
Well, I think they will, and it would not be any surprise if the people who bought it were none other than VAG. Why? Well VAG has owned Cosworth before - you didn’t realise that did you? In 1998 Vickers (the owners at the time) sold Cosworth to VW, who in turn sold the race division to Ford; this is why up until recently the Ford engine supplier was Cosworth Racing and not Cosworth, which made little difference as everyone called it Cosworth anyway.
The VW side of what was left was called Cosworth Technology, the company specialising in aluminium and power-train development consultancy work. Some (if not most) of the Audi engines powering the VW fleet today owe something at least to Cosworth. VW, however, sold CT to the Mahle Group in 2004.
So why would VAG like the Cosworth name back? Well, it is a universal brand that is known by every petrol-head in the world. Also the history of the engine maker is unprecedented; the F1 or IndyCart/ChampCar world would not be what it is today without Cosworth and its mighty DFV 3.0ltr V8.
Article comments
1 - Guppusmaximus
Interesting article... I do believe that F1 is probably the most expensive out of all the other forms of racing, though I could be wrong, and this could be the reason why VAG isn't involved like you said. They could've researched what Chrysler tried in the F1 circuit when they owned Lamborghini with 3 ex-Ferrari egineers.
But, it's not just a European and American sport anymore. Cosworth did pioneer the sport with their DFV(V8)but in the late 80's Honda pioneered the sport once again with their RA109A (V10)and held a 3 year domination with their own engine winning 10 out of 16 races.
Maybe all of this factors into VAG's thoughts but who really knows?? They do have Lamborghini who could make an engine just as good as Ferrari. Renault used Honda's V10 at one time so maybe VAG could go Japanese... Interesting. Great Article..
2 - Ashleigh Charlesworth
Agreed F1 is certainly the most expensive of the current motorsports, it's also the wealthiest in terms of TV rights etc.
The current cost cutting practice inside F1 will allow for other teams and companies to get involved in the sport (ProDrive in 2008).
I don't think VAG would use their 'premium' brands like Lambo and Bugatti, as the income from those companies is small fry compared to the value of the Audi, VW, Skoda and Seat brands.
It's also just been announced that Bernd Pischetsrieder has had his contract to run the group extended through to 2012, so that may bring a level of stability to the group, and a high profile motorsport activity could pep them up as they have a few issues inside the group at the moment.
Saying all that they may use the Bugatti brand to try sell some of the 'normal' Bugatti's as the Veyron is costing them around 5million euros a car to make, and they sell them for 1million, and they make 60 a year!
The next few years in F1 could be very interesting.
For F1 'newbies' I highly recommended reading up on the history of the sport as nearly every major motor innovation has come directly from the sport.
3 - Guppusmaximus
Yes, the Consumer Automotive Industry does follow the F1 circuit for it's technology and I believe, as you know, it's because there is such a huge demand on the performance of these engines in all aspects(design,cost,efficiency,power-to-weight,etc). That's why I feel if VAG is gonna do any damage to the major contenders(Ferrari,Honda,Renault)then they should utilize their most technologically advance factor which would be Lamborghini. Considering that Lamborghini does produce powerplants that not only accel in many areas(Torque(PPF),Horsepower,RPMs,ect)they also have the egineers that could focus on that type of car. Even having Ferrari as a benchmark, I think that if they used Lamborghini they would still have to take some lessons from Honda...
4 - Ashleigh Charlesworth
You are correct in your assumtions, I just feel that VAG may find it easier to 'buy in' than use one of there own brands. Like I said they will almost definatly co-brand the Cosworth name with one of their own brands, and Lambo would be a good choice as it is seen as another good engine manufacturer (Audi's V10 tat is in the S6 and S8 is the Lambo 5ltr V10 at the end of the day).
It's just I feel that they would rather take on the Honda's of this world (i.e. 'normal' cars) than the Ferrari's. Or i they did get together with the Red Bull teams, they culd consevably run Red Bull-Lamborghini and Toro Rosso-VW. and leverage the same powerplant.
Either way if they are not seen to b getting involved in the F1 poer struggle, they will loose out on sales.
5 - Guppusmaximus
Yes, understandably so... I was mainly concentrating on the F1 discussion but if they wanna take on the consumer market then they will have to battle with the likes of Toyota more so than Honda especially with the much anticipated release of the new "Exotic" Lexus which has a 500hp powerplant and is designed very much like the Ferarri. All in all, I do feel you have a valid concern on the F1 issue about "buying in" if they don't want to invest alot of money.
6 - Ashlegh Charlesworth
yeah the new Lexus is looing grea, with news out today that it has been caugh testing at the north circuit. apparently it's first outing will be the 207 Japan GP as the pace car.
There would be one benefit of VAG buying into f1 rather than using their own name, if it worked and they did well they could publisise the fact, if it turned out bad then they would not be directly to blame.