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Originally Posted by ThePenguin
They could go to F1 to compete with BMW and Mercedes.
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Audi gain nothing by being in F1. They've established themselves at the top of endurance racing - maybe not as big an audience as F1 but they're talking to real petrol (or do I mean diesel!) heads and getting the diesel message across... same in the States, ALMS promotes them as a premium brand and reminds the punters that diesel isn't just for trucks and locomotives!
What would they gain by scuffling around in midfield in F1? Who actually cares what engines the 'privateer' teams run?
Maybe VAG in general needs to lift its sporting profile, but Audi is very well-positioned where it is. I think if VAG wanted to come into F1 it'd need to buy a team with the potential to become competitive with McLaren and Ferrari within 1-2 years (and brand it as VW) - and I don't see anyone selling. Yet. Frank and Patrick aren't getting any younger, though.