VW considering F1 entry
Head of motorsport says he will make proposal later this year
Last Updated: January 30, 2012 3:32pm
Volkswagen: pondering entry to F1
Volkswagen could enter Formula 1 according to a proposal being drawn up by Wolfgang Durheimer, the German manufacturer's head of motorsport.
Rumours first emerged suggesting that VW's interest had been raised last year with the news that F1 would be switching to turbocharged 1.6-litre V6 engines in 2014.
However, resistance to the idea has, to date, apparently come from the chairman of VW's board Ferdinand Piech.
Now, though, Durheimer has told Wirtschafts Woche that he intends once more to propose the move as a means of boosting car sales.
"I will present my concept to the board later this year and put forward proposals that affect not only the racing series we are in today," he said.
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Durheimer added that F1 has "by far the greatest importance. It dominates the racing scene in Europe and Asia".
But he also said that using F1 to boost sales in the United States might prove difficult given the sport's lower profile there compared to IndyCar and, particularly, NASCAR.
He did add, though, that "these race series must be examined in the context of a future strategy".
The speculation is that VW would enter as an engine supplier, with Toro Rosso mentioned as a possible partner.
