We’ve learned via an official from Audi of Singapore that its parent group Volkswagen might be entering Formula 1 in the coming seasons if the costs continue to come down. Reinhold Carl, the managing director of Audi Singapore, is quoted by the Straits Times newspaper that while budgets are dropping, teams are still facing over a hundred million euros to keep their Formula 1 programs running.

“If the cost is lower, it will be more manageable”, he told reporters.

It may be a bit late since many great marques have recently dropped out of the race, BMW, Jaguar, Honda have already pulled out, and there are rumors that Toyota and Renalut might follow soon.

One interesting bit of info from his interview is that should VW decide to enter the grand prix competition, it will most likely be under the brands Porsche or Audi, or maybe even Volkswagen! Skoda Formula 1 team anyone?

By ROB HARRIS
Fri Jul 10, 3:27 pm ET

LONDON – Former World Rally champion Ari Vatanen launched his campaign for the presidency of Formula One’s governing body on Friday still believing incumbent Max Mosley may seek a fifth term.

"Any federation, any society regardless how good the previous leaders are, they need a new leader and it is to renew people’s faith within the organization," he said. "This is not my ego trip … I’m not going to run a dirty campaign. I want to run a unifying, reconciling campaign."

Vatanen will challenge Mosley for FIA presidency – Yahoo! News

CURRICULUM VITAE – ARI VATANEN

Born on 27 April, 1952 in Tuupovaara, Finland
Married to Rita Vatanen
Children: Kim, Ria, Tua and Max
Lives in France/Finland

National Officer of the Order of Merit (France)
State order of Merits (Ukraine)

Saturday, May 2nd 2009, 09:56 GMT
By Edd Straw

FIA president Max Mosley has insisted that Formula 1 could live without Ferrari in response to Luca di Montezemolo’s criticism of the budget cap regulations.

Mosley emphasised that the FIA would not back away from the budget cap and that it is vital for the financial health of F1 in both the long and short term.

Full news article: autosport.com – F1 News: Mosley: F1 could survive without Ferrari

The figure for a voluntary budget cap in formula one next year has been increased by £10 million to £40 million.

Announced on Thursday, it was ratified by the World Motor Sport Council in Paris a day earlier, while at the same time the maximum number of teams was increased by 1 to 13 for 2010.

As the global recession bites, Formula One Management has also offered a US$10 million welcome payment for new teams, plus the promise of free chassis transportation and 20 air tickets for flyaway races.

Moreover, existing manufacturer-backed teams are being enticed to join the budget capping with the exclusion of engine costs. Marketing and driver costs will also not be included in the cap, the FIA confirmed in a statement.

An entry list for 2010, potentially featuring a full grid of 26 cars, will be published by the Paris body in June.

The big teams do not have to sign up for the cap, but their engines will be rev-limited, the test ban will continue to apply for them, and their cars will not be allowed to feature movable wings.

"The FIA believes that cost capping will prove attractive, and it hopes that over time all teams will join," the FIA said.

"So far, interest has been extraordinarily high from both existing teams and potential new entrants." Concerns have emerged that the new structure will form a two-tiered F1 grid, however.

Other changes to the 2010 rules include a bump up in the minimum driver and car package weight, making room for both larger drivers and KERS systems.

The move was apparently made in response to complaints that the sport is becoming a "jockey’s competition" due to the addition of heavy KERS packages.

Most drivers endeavored to shed kilograms over the winter period, as they mused the addition of up to 40kg (88lb) in the form of the new energy re-use technology, but no corresponding increase in the minimum weight of 605kg (1,335lb).

The governing FIA on Thursday published the 2010 technical regulations, showing an increase in the weight from 605 to 620kg (1,335lb to 1,369lb).

Source: FIA raises 2010 F1 budget cap to £40 million, lifts minimum car weight – [2010 Formula 1 Season] – MotorAuthority – Car news, reviews, spy shots

:t-cheers:

Formula One may be louder and more glamorous, but the sport cannot compete with football in one area, Bernie Ecclestone has admitted.

The F1 Chief Executive is well placed to draw comparisons between the world’s two most popular sports, as he also co-owns the London club Queens Park Rangers.

This week on a visit to Spain, the 78-year-old hit out at some of F1′s stars, including Fernando Alonso, calling them ‘stupid’ for not being more interested in promoting their sport.

He also thinks there are not enough characters: like the elite advertising brand and fashion icon David Beckham.

"In Formula One we do not have a Messi," billionaire Ecclestone said, referring to the 21-year-old Argentinean player.

"Or Beckham. He would be ideal," he is quoted as saying by the El Mundo newspaper.

Ecclestone, contemplating how to encapsulate all the under-represented groups in Formula One, then jokingly laid out his dream occupant of a Grand Prix cockpit. "Ideally she would be Jewish and black," he said.

f1live.com

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Bernie is too naive and needs to go.