Audi Admits That It Is Still Studying An Entry Into Formula 1

Is there a point to being in F1, aside from just because you want to be there (which is totally okay)?

I don't know how much it influences sales. When I was shopping for a new vehicle, I didn't give F1 a thought (I don't watch it, either). I went to manufacturers' websites to see what they had to offer. I couldn't tell you if Mercedes, BMW, or Lexus are in F1, but their vehicle offerings weren't suitable for me. From this article, I've just learned that Audi *isn't* in F1, and yet their vehicle at their web site got my attention to investigate them more closely.

I don't think I'm unique in this regard. If that's so, then participating in F1 doesn't translate to selling products, which is what a car manufacturer is all about.

And if someone want to talk about the "trickle down" effect, in which the research and development that goes into F1 racing eventually makes its way into production cars, that's not so. Race cars are completely different that street cars. Their engines are meant to deliver maximum power for just a few hours, unlike roadworthy durability needed in street vehicles. Ditto with other engine characteristics (torque curve, peak power, fuel economy, etc.), body design, suspension, tires... it's all different for track and for production street vehicles.

F1 is F1. It's great entertainment for those who like it. But whether a manufacturer participates in F1 or not, is inconsequential, unless you're selling exotic sports cars, in which case F1 participation might lead a street car buyer to believe he's buying a piece of the race car heritage, or pedigree, or race technology. In Audi's case, that *might* be some R8 buyers, who represent just a tiny niche of Audi customers.

Variable Valve Timing, Active Suspension, Active Aero, Variable Steering, Carbon Fiber brakes, carbon fiber chassis, DCT to a large extent

These are all technologies that have trickled down from F1 into road cars

F1 is how auto makers masturbate. F1 is just a money pit.

I welcome Audi to enter F1. I only fear that they will buy Redbull Racing which will lead to Mr. Horner or RedBull taking over the FIA, which means higher ticket prices and a continuing decline in race attendance.

It's a huge influence outside the US. I remember reading about the Hamilton vs Alonso situation in 2007 and how Mercedes lost a whole bunch of sales in Spain. Ever heard of win on Sunday sell on Monday? How about Redebull? They have two teams spending hundreds of millions so they can sell drinks.
Just remember there is world beyond our USA borders. It's like saying the Super Bowl is more popular than the Word Cup.

MDarringer doesn't like F1 because the incompetent Toyota engineers spent $2-3 BILLION in F1 over 7 years and don't have a single race win to show for it. They were known to have the biggest budget in F1 by a huge margin.
To summarize: almost 130 races + $2-3billion = ZERO wins
It should go down in the history books as one of the biggest automotive/technological blunders. They basically showed the world that they are not capable of building anything more complicated than a toaster on wheels.

@tesla Thank you for putting words in my mouth, but you are dead wrong and your arrogance is duly noted. I despise F1 because is has NO CONNECTION to cars sold on the show room floor. I'd rather see stock Camrys and Fusions racing than stupid F1 cars that are essentially the same under the skin have have almost ZERO CONNECTION to the brand they say they are on the advertisement decals.

Ditto NASCAR!

I agree on Bernie and the rules being too complex + this green crap.
Hopefully it will change in 2017 with 1000HP v6s

Not sure where you are getting your information, but every team is tied to a car manufacturer.

1. Red Bull-Infiniti Renault
2. Force India-Mercedes
3. Toro Rooso-Renault
4. Ferrari
5. Mercedes
6. Lotus-Renault
7. McLaren-Hona
8. Manor-Ferrari
9. Sauber-Ferrari
10. Williams-Mercedes

Audi seems to be on the verge of joining. There will be an American team next year with Ferrari power.

McLaren-Honda