Barely a week after the announcement about Audi calling an end to their significantly successful run in endurance racing, Volkswagen has officially announced that they will no longer be participating in WRC after four consecutive dominant seasons with 42 wins out of 51 rallies entered.
In an address to around 200 employees at the Volkswagen Motorsport division in Wolfsburg, Germany, Frank Welsch (member of VW board) was quoted stating, “The Volkswagen brand is facing enormous challenges. With the upcoming expansion in electrification of our vehicle range we must focus all our efforts on future technologies. We far exceeded our sporting goals in the WRC, now we are aligning Volkswagen Motorsport and moving the vehicle technology of the future more starkly into focus.” So does that mean VW will no longer be making badass sport and racing cars? No, as Welsch adds, “At the same time, Volkswagen is going to focus more on customer racing. As well as the Golf GTI TCR on the circuit track and the Beetle GRC in rallycross, we also want to offer customers top products and will develop a new Polo according to R5 regulations.” What can be understood from that is though we won’t get to see a factory VW racing team dominating in the WRC, VW cars will still be enjoyed by drivers and fans alike.
So does that mean VW will no longer be making badass sport and racing cars? No, as Welsch adds, “At the same time, Volkswagen is going to focus more on customer racing. As well as the Golf GTI TCR on the circuit track and the Beetle GRC in rallycross, we also want to offer customers top products and will develop a new Polo according to R5 regulations.” What can be understood from that is though we won’t get to see a factory VW racing team dominating in the WRC, VW cars will still be enjoyed by drivers and fans alike.
Volkswagen Motorsport Director Sven Smeets expresses his feelings on the matter, stating “We regret the departure from the WRC very much – as this was the most successful chapter in the Volkswagen brand’s motorsport history.”
“The team has done great things. At the same time, our vision is firmly ahead, because we are aware of the great challenges facing the entire company. We want our realignment to contribute to the success of the Volkswagen brand. From now on, the focus is on upcoming technologies in motorsport and on our customer sports range, where we will position ourselves more broadly and attractively.”
Many questions arise from here – which WRC teams will snatch up their champion drivers? Which manufacturer will make the most of VW’s exit from the WRC? and more. But one thing is certain, whatever VW do next in motorsports, it’s probably going to be something brilliant.
The Auto Loons 