The VAG Way To Motorsports

"Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire" (arch-duke-maxyenko)
10/24/2014 at 17:40 • Filed to: VAG

Throughout its history, when VAG wants something, VAG gets it.

This image was lost some time after publication.

How does VAG do this? By throwing dump trucks full of money, called Audi, at it until it's theirs.

See the WRC. In the Group B days, VW flashes their wad and Audi becomes a dominant force. Point is proven, VW slowly cut's the funding and Audi fades out of the picture. Then, VW decides to own WRC again, enter the Polo R's. VW crushes the competition through out spending them by taking their Dakar budget (where they kicked ass for a few years) and giving it to the WRC program.

Then there's Le Mans, Porsche's French playground. VW can't buy Porsche, so what do they do? Dump buckets and make the Audi WEC program and destroys the competition at Le Mans. Then VW buys out Bentley, and what do they do with their new toy? Tell Audi to turn their R8 into a closed cockpit and call it the Bentley Speed 8. Bentley wins Le Mans, point proven, program goes back to Audi. Audi then continues their blitz across France and just keeps wining, except one odd year. Then VW finally buys out Porsche and what do they do with their most favorite toy? Return to Le Mans. So, Audi gets slowly phased out of the picture again.

So what's next for VAG? Go back to grand prix racing with Formula 1, the "highest" form of racing. Audi has a strong history there dating to the Auto Union machines pre-WWII. Some of their biggest competition then was their cross town rivals, Mercedes.

Mercedes is the new top dog in F1. Doing what was previously done by Red Bull, destroying their competitors by vast margins. Next year, Honda is getting back into bed with McLaren, which, as you know, made them a power house in the previous turbo era. Lotus is ditching Renault for Mercedes power and Haas will use Ferrari motors in 2016.

So, where does this leave VAG in F1? Red Bull has not had their best year in 2014 and their relationship with Renault has soured. Red Bull has a history of being good and close with VAG. The bull likes the VAG and the VAG likes the bull, much like Pasiphae and Poseidon's white bull. VAG might take this time to make a wooden bull costume and get the Red Bull to mate with them create a new power unit for Red Bull. This will give birth to a minotaur force Renault Nissan out of Red Bull and give rise to Audi Red Bull Racing. Besides, what could ever go wrong when the Germans team up with the Austrians?

DISCUSSION (22)

For Sweden > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire
10/24/2014 at 17:46

Do you see VW partnering with Red Bull over having their own outright team? I don't.

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > For Sweden
10/24/2014 at 17:48

Yes, I do, for a while at least.

norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback > For Sweden
10/24/2014 at 17:50

To develop their engine and phase Audi out of WEC, yes. But where does this leave Joest?

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback
10/24/2014 at 17:52

Sobbing in the corner?

norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire
10/24/2014 at 17:53

Preferably back in IMSA.

Viggen > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire
10/24/2014 at 17:59

Looks like someone read this article.

But then again, Dr. Ulrich has also stated that F1 is irrelevant.

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > Viggen
10/24/2014 at 18:02

I only now read that, but rumors of VW going to F1 have been circulating for years.

And it doesn't matter if Dr. Ulrich has stated that F1 is irrelevant, VAG gets what VAG wants, so he might move over to Porsche's WEC program.

Fred (FreddsterExprs) > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire
10/24/2014 at 22:45

Will VW come to F1? Yes, someday. Soon? Nope.

First, Mr.E needs to let go of F1, and that will happen from his cold, dead hands. Then there's the question of chassis design: you need a basis in England's Motorsport valley or it won't work. So they are left with buying an existing team, creating their own or trying to make it work from Germany. Nr.1 doesn't fit the VW approach, Nr.2 takes time, patience and loads of money, No.3 makes it hard to get the top engineers of F1.

If anything, I can see Audi/Porsche building an engine.

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > Fred (FreddsterExprs)
10/24/2014 at 22:46

That's what I'm saying. They replace Renault at Red Bull.

Fred (FreddsterExprs) > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire
10/24/2014 at 23:09

But would it make enough sense marketing wise to replace WEC with only supplying an attention consuming brand such as Red Bull with engines?

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > Fred (FreddsterExprs)
10/24/2014 at 23:15

Porsche becomes the VAG WEC effort. The Audi name goes to Red Bull F1, and as I said, VAG and Red Bull are close.

Kinja'd!!!

MFEJAL grey because who knows... > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire
10/25/2014 at 12:26

It makes sense to race in 2015 using an hybrid powerplant at WEC and Le Mans to test it, with Fernando Alonso behind the wheel, and then arrive at Formula 1 with reliability and a full year of experience with it, and with a top driver behind the wheel.

ps: I'm not gray??!!???

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > MFEJAL grey because who knows...
10/25/2014 at 12:41

You're not grey

MFEJAL grey because who knows... > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire
10/25/2014 at 12:43

I'm not gris!!