Motorsport Off Topic Thread

"Autocar source reports", so in no way official yet. Seems a bit soon after the PU discussions for what is likely a very complex deal, but of course they could have been negotiating for months for all we know.

I bet Mercedes are happy... if this is true that effectively makes it an Audi-Mercedes team for the foreseeable.
 
I wonder what this means for Red Bull. They've been flirting with VAG for what must be a decade now and instead it looks like they'll either have to put up with more customer engines or make their own.

Many were assuming that they were poaching PU staff from Mercedes in order to facilitate a joint programme with one of the VAG names (Porsche most likely), as Red Bull didn't want to fund a development race with their adopted Honda power units (hence the engine freeze), but unless they can tempt like likes of Honda back in the next year or two it looks like it won't just be development, they'll have to make a complete new PU from scratch for the 2026 regulations.


MagicBoy said:
Add in BMW and it can be like DTM, where they all pull out at the same time after a bad sales year ... :eek:
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Yup. Thankfully the only (competitive) team we've lost in the last 20-odd years is Toyota, with the Ford, BMW and Honda ghosts continuing in other guises, but that's always the fear with manufacturer entries.

It was only last year that people were expecting Mercedes were considering withdrawing.
 
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this_is_gav said:
I wonder what this means for Red Bull. They've been flirting with VAG for what must be a decade now and instead it looks like they'll either have to put up with more customer engines or make their own.

Many were assuming that they were poaching PU staff from Mercedes in order to facilitate a joint programme with one of the VAG names (Porsche most likely), as Red Bull didn't want to fund a development race with their adopted Honda power units (hence the engine freeze), but unless they can tempt like likes of Honda back in the next year or two it looks like it won't just be development, they'll have to make a complete new PU from scratch for the 2026 regulations.
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There was talk that Porsche would partner with Red Bull and that the Porsche/Audi engine would be done in conjunction with Red Bull's Engine Division; with McLaren taking the Audi engines.
I'm not sure this really would make much difference to that arrangement if it was going to happen; partnering with Red Bull allows VAG access to current engine tech, staff and expertise which can only help as they develop the next Gen of engines - McLaren get the engines (badged as Audi) and Red Bull/AT continue as is but with Porsche badged engines.

Also worth mentioning other Auto press rumours that BMW are bidding for McLaren group as well...

I wouldn't actually be staggered to see Honda back in 2026 it has to be said though.... or at the very least "Mugen Honda"
 
CaptainRAVE said:
That's pretty rubbish tbh. We need more teams, not current teams getting rebadged.

Yup, what a joke, if true.
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The financial barrier to entry is so high, anyone with the money is simply going to buy an existing team lock, stock and barrel to get the expertise and hit the ground running. Otherwise at best you're a midfield team that will take years to get up to speed after a massive investment anyway.

The only problem is that when your primary business is car manufacture, it's quite possible for priorities to change and then teams get dropped like hot potatoes when the manufacturer decided to pull out of F1
 
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Mr Jack said:
McLaren are saying the story is false, sorry to mislead:
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It was a genuine story from an often reliable source (the journalist, not the company). The McLaren statement doesn't mean they aren't in discussions, but perhaps it was a bit premature from Autocar.

I bet the Mercedes board are breathing sighs of relief right now.


The full McLaren statement on their site (doesn't add anything else): https://www.mclaren.com/racing/inside-the-mtc/mclaren-group-statement-sale/
 
The wording of that statement is oddly specific, they say it hasn’t been ‘sold’ (past tense) and it certainly doesn’t say they are not in talks.

They could be signing the contract tomorrow with Audi and that statement would still hold true.
 
CaptainRAVE said:
That's pretty rubbish tbh. We need more teams, not current teams getting rebadged.
Yup, what a joke, if true.
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When you have the existing teams voting in a £200m Entry cost due to their own potential loss of earnings when the prize fund is split with another team/entity it's easy to see why a manufacturer would look to invest or takeover an existing team. Toro Rosso/Alpha Tauri has been 'for sale' for years. Williams would seem ripe for investment too and if a team is for sale or can be bought for £350m suddenly that £200m entry barrier goes away. The teams own greed and Selfishness is what brings these things about. As it has many, many times in the past.

Also to add, the McLaren Statement also adds 'McLaren’s technology strategy has always involved ongoing discussions and collaboration with relevant partners and suppliers, including other carmakers, however, there has been no change in the ownership structure of the McLaren Group.'

This suggests they're very much open to talks with other companies. It practically invites them to get in touch.
 
MissChief said:
When you have the existing teams voting in a £200m Entry cost due to their own potential loss of earnings when the prize fund is split with another team/entity it's easy to see why a manufacturer would look to invest or takeover an existing team. Toro Rosso/Alpha Tauri has been 'for sale' for years. Williams would seem ripe for investment too and if a team is for sale or can be bought for £350m suddenly that £200m entry barrier goes away. The teams own greed and Selfishness is what brings these things about. As it has many, many times in the past.

Also to add, the McLaren Statement also adds 'McLaren’s technology strategy has always involved ongoing discussions and collaboration with relevant partners and suppliers, including other carmakers, however, there has been no change in the ownership structure of the McLaren Group.'

This suggests they're very much open to talks with other companies. It practically invites them to get in touch.
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Earlier this year there were talks around how it may be possible to waive that entry fee.

https://www.racefans.net/2021/02/06...million-anti-dilution-fee-new-teams-must-pay/
 
Alpine have confirmed Oscar Piastri is going to be reserve driver for next season. Their garbage junior academy strikes again.
 
MissChief said:
Surely he must do Formula Nippon or something rather than just sitting on his backside doing nothing.
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Hopefully, but I actually think it's unlikely.

Meanwhile Zhou to Alfa is confirmed as the first ever Chinese F1 driver. I don't begrudge Zhou that seat, he's a talented driver who has achieved a lot despite coming from a country without a strong racing tradition, and without the development from his earliest years that European drivers get. Still, it stings to see him get an F1 seat while his more talented stablemate languishes for a year.

Italian Jesus is expected to be announced in a Formula E seat shortly.
 
If Hamiltons new engine is worth that much they should change bottas'.

Better to have him useful in 2 races than useless in 3
 
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