VW deny F1 rumours

There have been numerous rumours of late about the entrance of the Volkswagen group into the sport. German magazine "Focus" claimed in its Thursday edition that Bernd Pischetsrieder, future VW chairman, had opened talks with Team Jordan about acquiring a majority stake in the team or establishing a technical partnership involving the supply of works engines. 

Late this week Jordan formally denied any link with the German auto manufacturer. In an article in the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (FAZ), Volkswagen also rejected the speculation. Said a spokesperson for Volkswagen on Thursday: "If one would combine the different rumours, then we are planning ALL of the following: Giancarlo Fisichella as a driver, a Lamborghini Minardi and also a supply of engines to Jordan. However, there is nothing to any of it"

The FAZ article concluded that the rumours had not emanated from Volkswagen, but from the Formula 1 community, as there is a need to attract major new sponsors.

The speculation has arisen because the incoming Volkswagen Chairman, Bernd Pischetsrieder, brought BMW into the sport. However, he has said that it would cost DM 500 million to enter the sport, and there have been various denials from senior Volkswagen sources.

The Volkswagen staff also have a significant say in major decisions that the group makes, and it is thought unlikely that they would ever support an entrance into Formula 1. Several of the Volkswagen group brands have been associated with the speculated entrance including Lamborghini, Porsche and Audi, the latter receiving the most attention. Formula One Management, run by Bernie Ecclestone, has registered the domain name 'audif1.com'.