VW Enters.................

[SGeorge]

Not read the whole thread, so apologies for any repeated points.

I cant see VW entering - not from a cost perspective, but the reality of a heavily engine led formula and lack of available decent engines - Cant see Mercedes or Ferrari giving them engines. What would they gain? questionable how relevant F1 is from a marketing tool nowadays as the cars are so restricted - maybe there is a sense of it being the premier motorsport division, but in reality the benefits are not huge and the potential pitfalls of not doing well (hello Toyota) are clear.

Would love to see more companies getting involved, but its a different sport nowadays - and the engine rules need to change so there are less barriers to entry

[Facts Only]

Interesting e-mail from a recruitment agency today. Highlights below:

"Position – Design Engineer
Location – Germany
Rate – Unable to disclose but highly competitive

The Background

A global leader in the automotive industry is looking for Design Engineers who will be responsible for designing exciting projects and related documentation of various components and assemblies.

The specialist areas of interest are Gearbox / drive train / transmission, composite and integration / system.

The ideal design engineer must have a strong background within motorsport, including but not limited to F1, F3 and Indy Car. You’ll also need to have a specialism within one of the specialist areas of interest detailed above. Experience with software programs such as CAD (CATIA V5), FEM and VPM would be an advantage and hold you in good stead.
"

I just assumed it was TMG but I thought they would be looking for WEC/WRC experience but the e-mail specifically lists three single seater categories, one being F1 (obvious link) and one other (Indy) being one of the few other Turbo engine categories.

Probably nothing but but thought it was of minor interest to this thread. I might give them, a call Tuesday to see if its based in Cologne (so TMG) or elsewhere.

[BanMeToo]

Somehow WEC LMP1 seems a lot more unsafe in comparison to F1, maybe a combination of poor driver talent and heavy cars makes them difficult to stay on track.

2 crashes at Spa
1 crash at Interlagos

in the space of 3 races

hardly an apples-apples comparison. The WEC winner at Spa 2014 did 171 laps, vs the F1 GP's 44 laps. That's almost 4 times the distance.

It is also much different with the number of very-slow cars an LMP1 driver has to pass during each race.

[FW17]

Not read the whole thread, so apologies for any repeated points.

I cant see VW entering - not from a cost perspective, but the reality of a heavily engine led formula and lack of available decent engines - Cant see Mercedes or Ferrari giving them engines. What would they gain? questionable how relevant F1 is from a marketing tool nowadays as the cars are so restricted - maybe there is a sense of it being the premier motorsport division, but in reality the benefits are not huge and the potential pitfalls of not doing well (hello Toyota) are clear.

Would love to see more companies getting involved, but its a different sport nowadays - and the engine rules need to change so there are less barriers to entry

The engine regulations are fine, they are relevant from both the perspective of energy harvesting and fuel efficiency.

They are very industry relevant, no need to change anything. Target is quiet clear to be at the front 900 hp for as long as possible with a 100kg/hr fuel flow.

Might not be exciting in its current format of tyres and no refueling but engine regs wise it is fine. Choices need not be given as it is just going to waste time as we know they all will converge on the same thing (just as we had with the V10's).

[noname]

(...) I doubt we'll be seeing super capacitor of flywheel storage in a road car, even exhaust harvesting is debatable.

http://www.lse.co.uk/AllNews.asp?code=f ... rs_Service

[FW17]

MotorSport.com




Red Bull has repeatedly threatened to leave Formula 1 after struggling to be competitive, in part due to the problems with the Renault power unit.

The French manufacturer has also admitted it is considering its future in the sport, and Red Bull has suggested it could be forced out of F1 if Renault leaves, as it would be left without an engine supplier.

Amid speculation linking the Volkswagen group with a move to F1, Montezemolo revealed Mateschitz is trying to lure Audi to join the field.

Speaking with Italian newspaper La Repubblica, Montezemolo said Red Bull has "imploded" this year, adding that he thinks Ferrari has been lucky to regain its form while others have struggled.

"I honestly think they [Ferrari] have been a bit lucky: This year, apart from Mercedes, they have no other rivals," Montezemolo said.

"Williams has not improved and Red Bull has imploded - I know that Mateschitz is thinking of selling - 'I either convince Audi to enter or I'm leaving,' a mutual friend has told me - and McLaren is in crisis...

"In short, Ferrari starts every race with a podium in its pocket. But luck is useless if you don't take advantage of it."

[Facts Only]

Montezemolo should write a book about how to demotivate staff:

Chapter 1, belittle their hard work by claiming any improvement is down to luck

Although I suppose he's no longer in charge but he has a history of this sort of guff.

[Manoah2u]

BOOM!

here we go

http://www.worldcarfans.com/11505089348 ... f1-project

Audi admits 'looking at' F1 project

Audi appears to have taken a step closer to formula one.

Mere days ago, constant rumours that the Volkswagen brand is considering a grand prix foray were given a boost by former Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo.

"A mutual friend told me that (Red Bull owner Dietrich) Mateschitz is thinking of selling and is trying to convince Audi to come in," said the Italian.

Auto Express, a British weekly, went straight to Audi chairman Rupert Stadler to ask him for a "yes or no" answer about the pressing F1 question.

"I can't answer that," he said.

Pressed harder, Stadler admitted: "It's something we're looking at, but then we're always looking at it and many other things."

[wesley123]

Pressed harder, Stadler admitted: "It's something we're looking at, but then we're always looking at it and many other things."

Says enough about the whole thing, really.

[kudryavchik]

I imagine how the journo has pressed on Stadler

[GSBellew]

I was in the Autostadt in Wolfsburg on Monday, they were really pushing the VW / Red Bull in Motorsport link in the Volkswagen pavilion..........

[Jonnycraig]

I just assumed it was TMG but I thought they would be looking for WEC/WRC experience but the e-mail specifically lists three single seater categories, one being F1 (obvious link) and one other (Indy) being one of the few other Turbo engine categories.

Probably nothing but but thought it was of minor interest to this thread. I might give them, a call Tuesday to see if its based in Cologne (so TMG) or elsewhere.

Most likely related to the new F2 series that Domenicali is tasked with.

BOOM!

here we go

Nothing we didn't already know. Domenicali put together a report on the viability of buying out RB over the winter, but when put to the board it was rejected.

Bernie stating that he would step down if they ever join F1 is proof enough that he knows they aren't joining anytime soon.

[aral]

I was in the Autostadt in Wolfsburg on Monday, they were really pushing the VW / Red Bull in Motorsport link in the Volkswagen pavilion..........

of course! but only for production based motorsport, such as rallying, and rallycross. NO interest in f1 !

[FW17]

And Gerhard Berger, a confidante of Mateschitz's and a former Toro Rosso co-owner, agrees: "I would say there is a lot of discussion.

"Mercedes in the last two years has put the game up three steps and Renault just didn't invest," he told Britain's Sky. "I doubt that they're going to be able to catch up.

"But somebody like Volkswagen, fresh coming in, I think they would and I'm sure that would be a good story for Red Bull," Berger added.

The Austrian newspaper Kleine Zeitung cited an "insider" who said a "secret formula one engine" is "more or less finished" at Wolfsburg, VW's headquarters.

Berger said in that report: "If Volkswagen decides to come in, they will want to win from day one. And that is only possible with a super team, and the best team of all is Red Bull."

[Kiril Varbanov]

It's becoming a viable scenario, ever since VW has a new boss. Massimo Rivola to Audi, which are getting the team from Red Bull - my humble bet.