Senior Audi official claims VW Group could enter if the costs are lower

Volkswagen Group will consider entering Formula One in the future if the costs become lower, according to a senior Audi official.

Reinhold Carl, managing director of Audi Singapore, told the Straits Times newspaper that the VW Group would consider an entry if the benefits outweighed the costs involved.

"If the cost is lower, it will be more manageable," said Carl. He claimed despite the cost cutting measures ongoing in the sport, the cost for entry were "well over a hundred million euro [£92.5m]" per year.

Jaguar, Honda and BMW have all pulled out of F1 in recent years and doubts still remain over Renault's long term future in the sport and particularly Toyota's.

Carl is not convinced that being involved in the sport brings substantial gains to manufacturer teams. When asked what any VW team would be branded as, Carl said the Porsche and Audi names could be used "or even Volkswagen".

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