Volkswagen has no intentions of entering F1, according to a high-ranking official of the German car brand. Volkswagen Motorsport Dir Jost Capito told SBD Global "there are no talks" about joining F1. Volkswagen, as a volume manufacturer, is more interested in activities that represent cars that people can buy in the showroom, he said. "It has been well-decided and it was a serious evaluation to go into the World Rally Championship because as a volume manufacturer we believe it’s right to be in a series where the cars are recognizable, where you run the technology that you sell in the showroom." Volkswagen joined WRC in '13 and won back-to-back drivers and constructors titles in '13 and '14. Volkswagen's commitment to its WRC program sees it stay in the series until at least '19.
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| Jost Capito |
In comparison to a series such as WRC, F1 uses future technology that customers cannot identify with and cannot buy in the showroom, Capito said. "We see this kind of technology the same as sports car technology more for the premium brands." The premium brands of the Volkswagen Group, the world's second biggest car producer, include names like Porsche and Audi. Both are active in various sports car racing series. Over the weekend, Porsche celebrated a one-two victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans race, breaking Audi's reign after five wins in a row. Audi denied recent reports of potentially entering F1 by teaming up with Red Bull Racing, with Audi CEO Rupert Stadler being quoted as saying, "Formula 1 needs to sort out its own problems."
