After a number of rumours linking Audi to the Infiniti Red Bull Racing team in recent weeks, the German manufacturer have revealed that they are not completely against a move into Formula 1.
Audi, who are part of the Volkswagen group, have long denied they are interested in moving into F1, with their main concern in recent years being the World Endurance Championship and the 24 Hours of Le Mans, but now their stance has appeared to have softened.
“In life you must keep things open,” said Audi Chairman Rupert Stadler to Auto Express. “We’re already well stuffed with successful motorsport projects. But with F1, wait and see. It’s an option for Audi.
“Not at this moment, perhaps. But it is still an option.”
The news from Audi comes on the day when Red Bull’s Helmut Marko reiterated that the drink’s company could pull out of Formula 1 if they do not have an competitive engine sooner rather than later.
“If we don’t have a competitive engine in the near future, then either Audi is coming or we are out,” said Marko to BBC Sport. “There are so many rumours. Officially there was no request or talks.
“The VW Group first has to sort out who will be the new chief of support, who will run the brand of VW, and when they have sorted all these things maybe then they can think about what they are doing in motorsport.
“I was on the phone but not to the people you think.”
