Friday May 25, 5:36 PM
Motor racing-VW, Ford unlikely to enter F1, says FIA head
MONACO, May 25 (Reuters) - Volkswagen and Ford will play a
part in shaping new Formula One technical regulations but
neither manufacturer is likely to enter the sport, according to
FIA President Max Mosley.
"I don't think there is any suggestion that either of those
companies will come into Formula One," the International
Automobile Federation head told reporters at the Monaco Grand
Prix.
"But from our point of view, if we can involve two or even
more (uncommitted) major manufacturers at board level in our
discussions on possible future regulations, their input will be
very helpful because they are disinterested about the
technologies we should incorporate.
"They promised to do the best they can to help us," said
Mosley.
The FIA sent a discussion paper on proposals for new engine
and gearbox regulations from 2011 to its Formula One
Manufacturers' Advisory committee before the May 13 Spanish
Grand Prix.
DIRECT RELEVANCE
The committee, which meets next month, includes all the
current F1 manufacturers -- Renault, BMW, DaimlerChrysler's
Mercedes, Ferrari (FIAT), Honda and Toyota -- as well as Ford
and the VW-Audi Group.
The FIA has said it wants Formula One technology to have
direct relevance to road car development in future, making it
more attractive to manufacturers.
Ford have a long history in Formula One, winning 177 races
as engine providers and more recently competing as owners of
Jaguar.
That team was sold in 2004 to Austria's Red Bull
billionaire Dietrich Mateschitz.
Audi have a strong motor racing pedigree, both as multiple
winners of the Le Mans 24 Hours sportscar classic and going
back to the pre-World War Two years when Auto Union were among
the grand prix giants.
|