[dZired]

Volkswagen is reportedly planning to pull out from the World Rally Championship (WRC). The company will likely be making an official announcement about the same after the decision is finalised at its board meeting on November 1. The proposal to exit from WRC is a part of the automaker's plans to cut down expenses in order to compensate the huge losses suffered due to the infamous dieselgate scandal. These reports come a week after Volkswagen Group's, Audi, announced its exit from WEC (World Endurance Championship) including the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

It was earlier speculated that though the announcement will be made in 2016, Volkswagen will officially quit WRC after the next season. However, recent reports suggest that the automaker will likely end its WRC Programme after the 2016 season's final round, which is scheduled for November 17, in Coffs Harbour, Australia.

Volkswagen joined the WRC as a manufacturer team in 2013. The team has clocked 41 victories, four manufacturer titles, and four driver championships till date.

Source: Autocar

Link to Team-BHP News

[jfxavier]

Jost Capito has already started his new job as McLaren F1 CEO.
Looks like he got the wind of things very early.
He jumped ship to Formula1 from being Director of Motorsport at Volkswagen.

[deetjohn]

This is sad news, VW has been absolutely dominant in the rally scene and now has 4 back to back titles. Heck, they even got a 2017 Polo WRC machine ready which will not see any side ways action now.

The consolation is that Toyota will be there with a factory team supporting the Yaris and Citroen will also contest full time.

[dZired]

Volkswagen Motorsports has officially confirmed its decision to quit the World Rally Championship. The VW WRC team will be making its last appearance at the Kennards Hire Rally in Australia, which is the current season's last race.

Link to Team-BHP News

[qr20de]

Man, I was so psyched to see Toyota battle it out with VW next year. I guess we'll have to wait for the diesel gate scandal to be paid off in full.

However, Ford, Toyota, Citroen, and other works teams still sounds like a mouth watering competition.

Next year's cars look awesome with wider bodies and will be faster with increased HP engines.

[deetjohn]

We probably will get to see the Polo in 2017 WRC. Head of development Frank Welsch confirmed the 2017 Polo WRC would be homologated for the championship.

Originally Posted by Autocar UK

VW dramatically pulled out WRC, with insiders saying that it could not be seen to be celebrating victories at the same time as making 30,000 workers redundant as part of a cost-cutting exercise in the wake of the Dieselgate scandal.

Despite that announcement, however, the team has continued developing the new-for-2017 Polo with former world champion Marcus Grönholm at the wheel. Testing concluded last week and VW is now considering approaches from private customer teams about running the cars in the 2017 WRC, which begins in Monte Carlo in January.

"Lots of private teams have been asking to run the car and, while there is no decision on whether we will do that yet, with development 99% complete it made sense to complete the final hoops required for homologation so we can if necessary," said Welsch. "At the moment all I can say people are interested and we are keeping the possibility open."

Welsch also confirmed that VW was sitting on a steering group developing a championship for all-electric rallycross cars in the future. "We're looking at, yes," he said.

[volkman10]

Development of the 2017 Polo WRC continued after the firm’s exit from the sport and only concluded last week. Ultimately, it will be homologated for the championship and could be sold to private teams.

Lots of private teams have been asking to run the car and, while there is no decision on whether we will do that yet, with development 99% complete it made sense to complete the final hoops required for homologation so we can if necessary. At the moment all I can say people are interested and we are keeping the possibility open

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kWOg5yry14I

Source

[rejoycjohn]

It's sad to see Volkswagen leaving WRC, on the positive side Sebastian Ogier is going to M-Sport and will be driving the new Ford Fiesta in the next season.

http://www.m-sport.co.uk/m-sport-new...-sport-in-2017

"It’s the news we’ve all been waiting for, and M-Sport are proud to confirm that Sebastien Ogier and Ott Tänak will lead the team into an exciting new era – each piloting the all-new Ecoboost-powered Ford Fiesta WRC in the 2017 FIA World Rally Championship."

"Fielding both the reigning FIA World Rally Champion and the WRC Driver of the Year, M-Sport are in prime position and determined to make a return to the top-step of the podium.

Having tested the new Fiesta in Wales last month, Ogier was sufficiently impressed by the team’s latest creation and agreed terms with the Cumbrian outfit to spearhead his championship defence.

Ogier and co-driver Julien Ingrassia have long been on Malcolm Wilson’s wish list, and rightly so. The French pairing are a force to be reckoned with – talent, flair and speed on any surface that the FIA World Rally Championship has to offer.

Since starting their WRC campaign in 2008, the Frenchmen have secured four world championships, 38 victories, 56 podiums and an impressive 475 stage wins – making them a sought-after asset to any team.

M-Sport now have the opportunity to add to those impressive statistics, and are more determined than ever ahead of what looks set to be the most exciting season in decades."

[volkman10]

Volkswagen to make motorsport return with electric prototype.

German brand will reveal a car with a large fixed rear wing, as released by 2 pics.

There are no intakes or grilles visible, hinting that the car could be electrically powered. This would certainly align with the Volkswagen Group’s latest motorsport movements, in which it has ramped up its investment in electric technology.

Link