Audi's WEC exit may not be VAG's only motorsport casualty

  • Published on 31 Oct 2016 17:55
  • comments 0
  • By: Dominik Wilde

Audi's imminent exit from the FIA World Endurance Championship may not be the Volkswagen Audi Group's only high-profile motorsport exit.

Autosport are reporting that the company are also considering axing their ultra-successful World Rally Championship programme.

Volkswagen have been unbeaten since they entered WRC at the start of 2013, taking four straight manufacturers' and drivers' titles. Last weekend, Sebastien Ogier and Julien Ingrassia triumphed on the Wales Rally GB stages, taking their fourth straight win there - one for every one of their title triumphs.

The British publication says that Volkswagen Motorsport team principal Sven Smeets is unwilling to discuss VW's potential WRC exit.

"The news of Audi, of course I haven't been involved," Smeets said. "I also got the news like everybody else - I don't know what is happening in Audi.

"But then the rumours [about Volkswagen] started straight away in Germany," he continued. "This is one, not really motorsport person, who asked the question, but put in his story that Wolfsburg is in question."

The Volkswagen Motorsport WRC team reportedly came under threat last year following the 'dieselgate' scandal, with VAG looking to cut costs.

The three-car team was allowed to continue, however, at the reported expense of reduced hospitality spending at rallies.

Replies (0)

Login to reply

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

BEGrand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

World Championship standings 2024

Show full world champion standings

Test calendar

See full test schedule

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
29 - Mar 2
Bahrain
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia
22 - Mar 24
Australia
5 - Apr 7
Japan
19 - Apr 21
China
3 - May 5
United States of America
17 - May 19
Italy
24 - May 26
Monaco
7 - Jun 9
Canada
21 - Jun 23
Spain
28 - Jun 30
Austria
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom
19 - Jul 21
Hungary
26 - Jul 28
Belgium
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands
30 - Sep 1
Italy
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan
20 - Sep 22
Singapore
18 - Oct 20
United States of America
25 - Oct 27
Mexico
1 - Nov 3
Brazil
22 - Nov 24
United States of America
29 - Dec 1
Qatar
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates
-
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
29 - Mar 2
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
22 - Mar 24
Australia Albert Park
5 - Apr 7
19 - Apr 21
3 - May 5
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
17 - May 19
24 - May 26
Monaco Monte Carlo
7 - Jun 9
21 - Jun 23
28 - Jun 30
Austria Red Bull Ring
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom Silverstone
19 - Jul 21
Hungary Hungaroring
26 - Jul 28
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
30 - Sep 1
Italy Monza
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
20 - Sep 22
18 - Oct 20
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
25 - Oct 27
1 - Nov 3
Brazil Interlagos
22 - Nov 24
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
29 - Dec 1
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
-
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule
show sidebar