Volkswagen Chair Ferdinand Piech Resigns, Revives Talk Of Company's Return To F1

The resignation of Volkswagen Chair Ferdinand Piech "has revived talk of the company entering F1," according to PIT PASS. For as long as anyone can remember, the Volkswagen Group "has been linked with F1." However, for much of this time, "the man standing in the way of such a move was Piech, who, apart from not seeing what would ultimately be gained by entering the sport, made no secret of his intense dislike" of F1 CEO Bernie Ecclestone. On Saturday, Piech resigned as chairman of the Volkswagen Group "after losing out in a bitter boardroom battle" with CEO Martin Winterkorn, which even saw his cousin, Wolfgang Porsche, vote against him. With Piech gone, there "is already intense speculation that this might clear the way for Volkswagen to reappraise its stance on F1." Already enjoying a "strong sport presence" with Audi and Porsche in WEC, Bentley and Lamborghini in GT Racing and VW itself in WRC, F3 and Rallycross, F1 "would seem the obvious next move" (PIT PASS, 4/26).