Talking to the aforementioned publication, VW's representative Hans-Joachim Stuck confirmed that his company is looking into becoming an F1 player, but only from 2012 onwards. In addition, he argued that VW could have easily entered the series as a works team – by buying into one of the existing teams – but such a strategy is seen as pointless by the car maker's directors.
“If you're the world's largest manufacturer is natural that we're thinking about [Formula 1], but not before 2012. We're looking for innovative things, and Formula 1 is the pinnacle of motorsport,” said Stuck, according to Autosport.
“Two years ago there was some talk that Volkswagen is going to buy the Red Bull F1 team, which we didn't need to buy. Why should we stick with one team if we can give our engines to more teams? (...) Building an engine and providing it to a team is the best way,” added the former F1 driver.
Although he didn't mention with which of its marques VW are prepared to tackle the development of a Formula One engine, Stuck clearly stated that the company will only provide the teams with engines and not become too involved in the whole process of running an F1 organization. He argued that the manufacturers' recent exodus from the series is not such a mad thing, as long as they'll keep supplying the other teams with F1 engines.
“Many manufacturers have pulled out, which I think is a great deal, because we have manufacturers that we don't know for how long they will do it. They should become engine manufacturers and then lease the engine, sell the engine or give it to somebody. Then you lose all the hassle with teams, wind tunnels, engineers, you know,” added Stuck.
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