More Rumors of Audi/Volkswagen Entering F1

Over the weekend at the Singapore Grand Prix rumors swirled that the Volkswagon Audi Group (VAG) would enter F1 in partnership with Red Bull according to BBC F1 chief analyst Eddie Jordan.  This was denied by Red Bull and VAG declined to even comment.  However, a day later we have a German auto publication Auto Bild reporting that the deal is done and is awaiting final signatures.  Audi would enter F1 with Red Bull as its main sponsor from 2018 and would withdraw from Lemans and DTM as a competitor.

This season Red Bull has threatened to leave F1 due to a soured relationship with Renault.  Red Bull is clearly fed up with Renault and has sought out engines from other sources including Mercedes and Ferrari.   Ironically, Red Bull after winning four world titles finds itself begging the teams it beat for an engine deal.

However, working against this rumor is the recent news that VW is in deep trouble regarding emissions standards of its U.S. diesel cars.  The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) said on Friday VW software deceived regulators measuring toxic emissions, and that Volkswagen could face fines of up to $18 billion as a result.  Today, VW announced they are halting U.S. sales of all 2015 diesel cars.  With the costs of participating in F1 in the hundreds of millions of dollars at time when they could face billions of dollars in finds and untold damage to their reputation that they would then go an drop millions on F1.

Another knock on this story is Eddie Jordan.  Can you really trust a guy that wears a shirt that ugly

Stay tuned as this story develops.