Apologies if this is a repost. I'll be happy to merge the thread if it is. Mateschitz announced, that he'll continue paying his 50% part of Toro Rosso sponsorship for 2009, so the team's future is secure for another year. Just read an article in Octane, that mentioned FIAT wants to reestablish the Lancia brand name and is considering buying up Toro Rosso for 2010. It would then become a Ferrari B team, most likely powered by Ferrari, but with its own chassis (as the rules demand).
Andreas, thanks for this, hadn´t read it before. Would be great to see a Lancia F1 car. Actually I would love to see a Lotus, a Brabham, even a Tyrrell name on the grid. I fear that one of the next teams to go away will be Williams. (I don´t mind reposts, not everyone sees the first thread)
I'd love to see the Lancia name back in F1. Same with the other names you mention. I never was happy with teams named after a drink. There is just no connection to cars for me.
I too would love to see Lancia in F1, but the question is again: How much of Lancia would be in there? Especially considering that there's not much of Lancia left at all... I don't want to see a UK based team just sporting the Lancia badge
I wonder if Lancia is considering a move back to North America. With sister company Alfa coming to the USA in late 2009, Fiat could do a General Motors thing and just change the grill, upgrade the interior, and call it a Lancia.
Lancia make far more practicle vehicles for this day and age. Bring back the Fiat 500 and Citroen 2Cv as well!!
Yes, but what do they produce? The Ypsilon? The Musa? Nothing with soul ... although I don't really like the new Delta's looks, I hope it will be a step in the right direction...
Has BMW, Honda, Toyota or Renault produced anything with soul recently? The last good Beemer was the M3. The last good Toyota was the old Supra Turbo and the last good Renault was the 5 Turbo. And don't even get me started on the Daimlers. Grossvaterautos that they are.
Good point, Andreas! I'd still prefer the team to be, whatever, Alfa or Maserati than Lancia... but then again Lancia is the brand that needs good press and marketing far more than the others...
If the choice is between Alfa, Maser and Lancia, then I go with Alfa or Maser as well. No doubt. But if the choice is between an Italian car manufacturer and a soft drink (Toro Rosso), then Lancia has my vote.
Of course, without question! Now with Force India owned by that beer guy, we have too much drink teams anyway
Not too worried about that one: Jordan team ownership normally lasts 2 years, so I'll give him one more year.
In the present FIAT group, Ferrari does F1, Alfa does Touring Cars, FIAT does ISR rallying, Maserati does GT racing. Only Lancia is not engaged in competition. F1 is the right media to relaunch the make. Returning to rallying where Lancia was dominant years ago, would require more investment and have limited coverage.
Since you brought of rallying: The article also stated, that FIAT wants to relaunch the Abarth brand by participating in the WRC.
Think VJ is in for longer than that. Kingfisher is there for reasons of internal Indian status and national pride rather than just a personal interest.
You have a point and personally I'm hoping he will as this will boost the chances of a Grand Prix in New Delhi. I still find his original comments for the 2008 and 2009 goals way over the top: Beat 2 teams this year and beat another 2 teams next year, putting them right into mid field. I like small teams and they absolutely deserve their spot in F1, but let's be a bit more realistic and modest.
Likely he believed it feasible at the time. Very used to having his targets met. Partially my point he's committed to having some level of success before he can either leave or turn to his peers for help.
