Volkswagen rules out F1 entry as Winterkorn calls series unappealing
VW Group chairman Martin Winterkorn dismissed speculation linking Audi and Porsche to Formula One, citing a lack of excitement and greater focus on endurance racing.
Volkswagen Group chairman Martin Winterkorn ended speculation in June 2015 that the company's brands might enter Formula One, stating that the series did not appeal to the group at that time. Persistent rumours had linked both Audi and Porsche, already rivals at Le Mans, to a possible F1 entry, but Winterkorn made it clear the focus would remain on endurance racing.
Speaking to Bild am Sonntag, Winterkorn pointed to a lack of excitement in Formula One, referencing a particularly dull Austrian Grand Prix. He said the championship was “not particularly interesting for us at the moment”, closing the door on immediate entry for any VW brand. Instead, he welcomed internal competition between Audi and Porsche at Le Mans, describing it as beneficial for the group and a way to demonstrate the reliability of their cars.
Why VW stayed away from Formula One
While Formula One has long sought new manufacturers, VW's position in 2015 reflected doubts about the series' value for its brands. Endurance racing provided a platform for Audi and Porsche to compete directly, promote advanced engineering, and underline reliability, factors Winterkorn saw as more relevant than the spectacle of F1 at the time.
