The vast Volkswagen empire, which will soon merge with Porsche, is looking closely at its future motor sport plans. The company is currently involved in different series with its various brands with Volkswagen competing on the Dakar Rally and in Formula 3; Audi in the DTM and in sports car racing and Skoda in rallying. The merger with Porsche may change that, although the management of the company will be largely unchanged.
Volkswagen’s motorsport supremo is former Grand Prix driver and Le Mans winner Hans Stuck Jr, who was appointed to that role at the start of 2008. His tasks include advising the board of directors on motor sport issues, and cooperating on the strategic development of possible new sporting commitments. He reports directly to Stephan Grühsem, the company’s head of communication, who followed VW chairman Martin Winterkorn from Audi when the latter took control of VW at the start of 2007. Stuck has been active in the last year or so looking at the different possibilities for the company and there have been rumours of VW in NASCAR, IndyCar and Formula 1. It is clear that the company will continue its multi-brand approach, but it is not clear which brands will go where. Stuck says that VW is interested in a cost-effective Formula 1, but has no interest in being anything other than an engine supplier. The company is also apparently keen on the idea of a world engine, which would see the same basic engine being used in different specifications for different FIA championships, from F1 to rallying and touring car racing.
Mr. Mosley revealed a new “World Engine plan” that talks about a single engine being used for three different FIA categories – Formula 1, Formula 2 and World Rally Championship (WRC). According to him, the same engine can be aspirated and tuned differently for the different categories. This is an attractive idea for manufacturers but not so much for those taking part. Stuck says that there is not intetntion of following the Mercedes and BMW route and for VW to have its own team.
The merger with Porsche will not make a huge difference as Volkswagen management will continue to run things.
joeblogsf1 
Let’s see what happens w/ this World engine. It’s no surprise VW are keen on it, the idea came for the funky PhD designing Audi’s LMP diesels, so it’s only natural. I believe there’s some research going on now about the engine displacement and so on… I think it would be good for racing in general, I just hope we will end up with more powerful engines than we have now in all categories.
I mean, 220 bhp F3, 300 bhp WTCC&WRC, 750 bhp F1 … just doesn’t sound much exciting when Ferrari’s entry models are approaching 500 bhp. Also these power figures make aero much more important, so it contributes to the dull action.
Once upon a time Curt Cavin at the Indianapolis Star mentioned that the IndyCar chiefs were considering participating in some sort of “World Engine plan” as well. I haven’t heard anything for a long time, though, so I guess they have given up on the idea.
If VW is only interested in engine supply option, I think the team to partner up with would be Williams. It makes sense to given that Porsche are now using the Williams developed flywheel KERS.
I think VW already has a motorsport program that dovetails nicely with their worldwide marketing. Plus, there’s no overlap or competition between marques under the VW umbrella. I don’t expect any major changes.
Porsche and Audi are in the strongest positions as they do very well in their respective classes (particularly in endurance racing). Maybe not winning as much these days, but doing well enough to stay in the headlines. The R10/R15 diesels and hybrid GT3 are brilliant.
As for a “world engine,” I don’t think it’s a completely stupid idea… in the abstract. IMHO, a better approach that serves the needs of sport, engineering, and marketing might work around homologating production components that could be adapted to racing needs.
Let’s say they homologated production blocks, heads, and (where applicable) transmissions. The teams could be allowed to make changes for race appropriate bearings, oiling, valvetrain, etc.
Now, working with the manufacturers, the teams could suggest competition-minded changes to these parts for hologation. If the competition formula is designed in a way that balances performance, economy, and longevity, such changes ought to be beneficial for both racing and production engines, thus incenting the manufacturers to invest in some incremental production updates.
Bonus: these changes trickle down to actual consumers, and cements the “race on Sunday, sell on Monday” marketing message.
Porsche thrives on this philosophy, and the enduring legend of the BMW e30 M3 is based on it as well. For me, it’s hugely significant that the BMW F1 turbo engines of the ’80s — putting out 1000+ HP — were based on production M10 engine blocks.
I think the FIA and everyone else will fight shy of any Volkswagen endorsement if they have any sense. After all, it was pandering to VW last year that saw a last minute change in the dimensions of Super 2000 cars (and thereby WRC cars from 2011) in order to accommodate the Scirocco.
At a stroke all the manufacturers then building S2000s found themselves at a huge disadvantage and unable to simply upgrade with a 1600cc turbo and jazzy body kit to join the WRC. Meanwhile VW gave hearty thanks to the FIA for tailoring the rules to their needs… before backing out. With no VW and precious few of the S2000 manufacturers now stepping up, the WRC revival remains some way off… malheuresment.
As for Max’s world engine, the performance differential between, say, Formula 1 and Formula 2 was intended to be down to the KERS and other such ‘eco’ systems. Any word if Napoleon’s plans are along similar lines?
Joe, another interesting article
An engine development programme is valuable training for young engineers “coming through the system”. Honda successfully used it that way many years ago when they famously turned up at Williams GP with an engine in one box and a turbo in another but without a clue how it could be used in an F1 car.
All strength to other companies doing the same.
As for the relevance of the ideas of the Mr Mosley that you mention; Joe, it’s over, you do not have to suffer anymore, you can believe in the dream, a new world beckons, you can enjoy F1 again. French cuisine is no longer your only reward.
World engine: Bad Bad Bad idea.
VW in F1: Great Great Great idea, and i said as much in a previous post of yours Joe. Just need Hyundai to join Williams and my crystal ball will have paid for itself.