http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/87103 Porsche ready to evaluate F1 return By Jonathan Noble Friday, October 1st 2010, 10:22 GMT Porsche is to seriously evaluate a return to Formula 1, its new chairman Matthias Mueller has revealed at the Paris Motor Show on Friday. Speaking to AUTOSPORT's sister publication Autocar, Mueller said he expected his company's motorsport activities - which encompasses Porsche and Audi through its tie-up with the Volkswagen Group - to include both top-level sportscars and F1 in the near future. He made it clear that he expected either Porsche or Audi to have an LMP1 car in the future - while the other brand would then enter F1. Audi has competed in the Le Mans prototype class since 1999 and is working on a new car - the R18 - for 2011. Porsche ended its factory sportscar programme in 1998 - though it did produce the LMP2 RS Spyder for customer teams from 2005 onwards - and would be the logical choice for a return to F1 for the first time since 1991. "With LMP1, there are two classes and two brands - Audi and Porsche. We do not like to both go into LMP1 [against each other]; that is not so funny," Mueller told Autocar's website. "So therefore we have to discuss whether it makes better sense for one of the [two] brands to go into LMP1, and the other brand into F1. So we will have a round-table to discuss the pros and cons." Porsche's entry to F1 would most likely be as an engine supplier, rather than having a whole team. It would also make most sense for the company to enter the sport in 2013, when all-new engine regulations are set to be introduced.
http://www.autocar.co.uk/News/NewsArticle/AllCars/253108/ Porsche's shock F1 return plans Porsche could make a shock return to Formula 1 racing, Porsches new chairman, Matthias Mueller, told Autocar at the Paris motor show today. When asked about Porsches motorsport plans, Mueller told us that Porsche or Audi, but not both, could compete in LMP1 prototype sports car racing; with the other brand turning to Formula 1. However, as recently as June this year - just weeks after celebrating a third 1-2-3 finish at Le Mans in a decade - Audis motorsport boss Wolfgang Ullrich told German news agency SID that F1 and Audi do not fit. Today Mueller said: With LMP1, there are two classes and two brands Audi and Porsche. We do not like to both go into LMP1 [against each other]; that is not so funny. So therefore we have to discuss whether it makes better sense for one of the [two] brands to go into LMP1, and the other brand into Formula 1. So we will have a round-table to discuss the pros and cons, he said. Its no secret that Volkswagen Group has been contemplating entering F1 as an engine supplier in 2012 or 2013, and the newly integrated Porsche marque would give them a brand to suit. Porsche last competed in F1 back then as an engine supplier, too with the Footwork team in 1991. An engine supply deal would fit with Porsches recent motorsport activity, which is buoyant despite it steering largely clear of works entries. Porsche claims to make more racing cars than anybody else. It is important to understand we support customer motorsport and we earn money [through the 911 GT and RS Spyder programmes], said Mueller. We dont spend money. We earn money. Mueller also said that Porsches motorsport division might yet support cross-country rallying, should Volkswagen walk away from the sport next January if it wins its third Dakar Rally. Maybe there is the opportunity to follow that model [of its customer race-car sales programme] for off-road customer motorsport, said Mueller.
First, this is a VW decision not strictly speaking a Porsche decision. Second, I find it interesting that VW/Porsche see a benefit in the spec engine being proposed by the FIA. Four Cyl. turbos are not Porsche's current stock in trade. Perhaps they should just badge it a VW.
This same VW group took a look at the IRL earlier this year. It appears they are anxious to expand their racing program beyond Audi/LeMans. But I do not see Porsche and F1 any better of a fit than Audi and F1. I believe the 4 cylinder program is here to stay for at least three years, so what will Porsche market? From a marketing perspective, they would be better off building A5s in the USA and running NASCAR. Which is also not going to happen.
Hey, Porsche has won one F1 race in the past- and that's more than Toyota, Jaguar, Honda... Image Unavailable, Please Login
While they are, of course, welcome, I think it's the wrong move for them. It's infinitely more expensive than their endurance programs, which have been so successful. And, those programs have been largely based on the same platform (911 and derivatives). F1 represents, if not an entirely new expertise and set of skills, a quantum leap up from their existing level, so I doubt much technology will transfer from the 911 family. So, unless they do the buy-and-dump-money-into-a-backmarker-team, they're going to have to start from scratch, which will also require a dumptruck full of money. They OWN (or at least used to own) endurance racing in the smaller-displacement classes. And, Penske's LMPs are doing well enough. Does it make much sense to go for glory in F1? CW
Honda engines have won many championships. Even a Honda chassis won a championship as well. Their engine + chassis combos have not, though, LOL!
Considering marketing, I think VW should also consider using Lamborghini to enter F1. IMO, it will give the brand a little more substance as oppose just a hollow image. As for Porsche, I have always associate them with Prototype or sportscar racing, and with the exception of the McLaren partnership, Porsche really hasn't had that much success in F1. With that said, I do think that the best brand for VW to use is actually Audi, it has a long history in racing that dates back to the Auto Union days.
There has been a lot of talk about 4 cyl turbo boxsters, caymans and VW badged alternatives. Maybe this is their expensive way of building those brands.
They're not far off, Porsche has used a flat 6 turbo for decades. Closer than Ferrari are right now anyway. Also I think it would be great to see another Manufacturer in F1 particularly one that already has racing in it's blood.
looks like in might be a real consideration in 2012, with VW, not Audi, and Roger Penske: http://nascar.speedtv.com/article/cup-roger-penske-to-vw-not-next-year
No, nor a former Ferrari team driver! Richie spent 99% of his F1 carreer driving for factory teams- Ferrari, then BRM, then Honda. Legendary development and testing driver, too!
Awesome shot and even signed! I was delighted to see him this year (again) at Laguna as well as the F1 Porsche. A few years back I visited Solitude, which you can still drive to this day in your rental car (it is all public roads). As for the Porsche rumor: Because of the relationships between the companies this F1 entry could be either Porsche, Audi or even VW. I guess ultimately it'll be a marketing decision what label will be on the team. I'll welcome any of these 3.
Without forgetting that John Surtess won the Italian GP at Monza on a Honda too (although some say it was a Hondola - a Honda with a Lola chassis).
From a prospective entrant point of view, F1 must look like a straight jacket and a strict commitment for Porsche. In endurance racing, constructors come and go, select the races they want to enter, the championships they want to compete, etc.. During a season, you can change drivers, alter car configuration, test at will, etc... F1 is strictly limited in testing, engine configuration, technical choices. Plus you must enter ALL the races on the calendar, with not less, but not more than 2 cars, etc... I can't see all these restrictions making much sense to Porsche ethos, but then again, I can't see how they make sense for the established teams in F1.
