According to Audi sources, the German manufacturer is preparing to bet on Formula 1 in 2018, withdrawing from the World Endurance Championship (WEC) in 2017.
According to CAR MAGAZINE, Audi intends to use the structure of Team Red Bull to launch itself in Formula 1, thus benefiting from its experience and infrastructure. Despite the recent scandal affecting VW, Audi will have the support of a pool of Arab investors, who will support most of the budget. According to the same source, the agreement has not yet been signed, but it is just a matter of mere formalities.
According to sources at the brand, the main objective will be to fight for the world title in 2020. Thus, the project is expected to mature for two years until the first victories begin to emerge. Left behind is the World Cup of Endurance, a championship where Audi competed directly with Porsche, another brand in the Volkswagen universe.
UPDATE (09/23/15): A spokesman for the Ingolstadt brand told German news agency DPA that "the news is pure speculation", contrary to the news that Audi will withdraw from the World Endurance Championship. "The president of the Group decided months ago that the brand will not enter F1, since then nothing has changed."
Source: CAR MAGAZINE & AUTOSPORT / Image: WTF1
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