Ferrari/Mercedes can hold F1 to ransom
As Volkswagen reiterates once again that it's not interested in F1, DIETER RENCKEN suggests the small manufacturer pool in the series is helping Mercedes and Ferrari to dominate politics as well as sport
For the Volkswagen Group to openly admit that Formula 1 is not on its agenda is no surprise, particularly given the fall-out from 'Dieselgate'.
In fact, even before the scandal broke in September, this writer consistently doubted rumours that Wolfsburg's management board harboured serious intentions of entering F1, regardless of who - initially Ferdinand Piech, then Martin Winterkorn and, now, Matthias Muller - headed VW Group.
Vettel: Last Ferrari step back to winning F1 titles will be hardest
Vettel: Last Ferrari step back to winning F1 titles will be hardest Vettel: Last Ferrari step back to winning F1 titles will be hardest
Revealed: What F1 teams really spent in 2017
Revealed: What F1 teams really spent in 2017 Revealed: What F1 teams really spent in 2017
Aftermath of Hamilton Baku clash Vettel's 'worst feeling' of 2017
Aftermath of Hamilton Baku clash Vettel's 'worst feeling' of 2017 Aftermath of Hamilton Baku clash Vettel's 'worst feeling' of 2017
Why F1 is sitting on a timebomb of contradictions
Why F1 is sitting on a timebomb of contradictions Why F1 is sitting on a timebomb of contradictions
Lewis Hamilton hopes Fernando Alonso is in 2018 F1 title fight
Lewis Hamilton hopes Fernando Alonso is in 2018 F1 title fight Lewis Hamilton hopes Fernando Alonso is in 2018 F1 title fight
How teams lost patience with F1's new era
How teams lost patience with F1's new era How teams lost patience with F1's new era
Michael Schumacher doubted himself, reveals ex-Ferrari F1 boss Todt
Michael Schumacher doubted himself, reveals ex-Ferrari F1 boss Todt Michael Schumacher doubted himself, reveals ex-Ferrari F1 boss Todt
Why Todt's reign is eight years longer than planned
Why Todt's reign is eight years longer than planned Why Todt's reign is eight years longer than planned
Permane: Alpine F1 challenger is not "a Monaco-special car”
Permane: Alpine F1 challenger is not "a Monaco-special car” Permane: Alpine F1 challenger is not "a Monaco-special car”
Miller: 2023 MotoGP title fight “like last year on steroids”
Miller: 2023 MotoGP title fight “like last year on steroids” Miller: 2023 MotoGP title fight “like last year on steroids”
Inside the FIA’s bold mission to unearth the WRC stars of tomorrow
Inside the FIA’s bold mission to unearth the WRC stars of tomorrow Inside the FIA’s bold mission to unearth the WRC stars of tomorrow
Villeneuve ends WEC campaign with Vanwall after being dropped for Le Mans
Villeneuve ends WEC campaign with Vanwall after being dropped for Le Mans Villeneuve ends WEC campaign with Vanwall after being dropped for Le Mans
How Mercedes' new F1 upgrades fared - and what's next for the revitalised W14
How Mercedes' new F1 upgrades fared - and what's next for the revitalised W14 How Mercedes' new F1 upgrades fared - and what's next for the revitalised W14
Why the highlight of F1 2023 so far should end Monaco's calendar slot debate
Why the highlight of F1 2023 so far should end Monaco's calendar slot debate Why the highlight of F1 2023 so far should end Monaco's calendar slot debate
Monaco Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023
Monaco Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023 Monaco Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023
Why Alonso and Aston made the call that guaranteed Verstappen's Monaco victory
Why Alonso and Aston made the call that guaranteed Verstappen's Monaco victory Why Alonso and Aston made the call that guaranteed Verstappen's Monaco victory
The factors for and against a Red Bull upset in F1’s Monaco GP
The factors for and against a Red Bull upset in F1’s Monaco GP The factors for and against a Red Bull upset in F1’s Monaco GP
What Aston Martin's Honda deal reveals about its true F1 mindset
What Aston Martin's Honda deal reveals about its true F1 mindset What Aston Martin's Honda deal reveals about its true F1 mindset
Would Hamilton really be a worthwhile F1 investment for Ferrari?
Would Hamilton really be a worthwhile F1 investment for Ferrari? Would Hamilton really be a worthwhile F1 investment for Ferrari?
Why the growing pains of F1’s cost-cap era require patience
Why the growing pains of F1’s cost-cap era require patience Why the growing pains of F1’s cost-cap era require patience
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.