Volkswagen refuses to race in Formula 1 under these conditions

Kris Nissen, the Director of Motor Sports at Volkswagen, refused to participate in the Formula 1 World Championship until the image and regulations of the sport were improved.

For a few months now, there has been talk of Volkswagen’s potential entry into Formula 1. The leading automobile manufacturer in Europe has often been called upon to join F1, and Toyota’s withdrawal at the end of 2009 only intensified the speculation, leaving a vacant spot for another car manufacturer.

The situation remains completely open, and the new engine regulations that will come into effect in 2013 make the future between Volkswagen and F1 more likely, but before that, Nissen refuses to participate in Formula 1: « F1 is facing its toughest situation in years. They have to manage it, and I’m sure Jean Todt with the FIA and the other teams will do their best. »

« I think that for car manufacturers to come back, there needs to be stability, which isn’t there at the moment. Additionally, the image of the championship needs to be improved and costs reduced. But this isn’t the first time the topic has been brought up, and by now, I believe they are aware and that the right people are working on it… »

VW has often started developing an F1 team before retracting. Kris Nissen, however, warns that if the VW group were to enter Formula 1 in the future, it would surely be with a brand other than Volkswagen. The VW group owns 10 brands, from Bentley to Audi, including Seat and even Bugatti. Nissen also mentioned that if the group were to enter F1, it wouldn’t be before several Dakars, referencing their participation in the 2010 Dakar Rally-Raid. An entry in 2013 or 2014, however, seems realistic for the German group.