VW behind Prost buyout?

Recent speculation has placed German car manufacturer Volkswagen as being behind the mysterious buyout of Prost's place on the F1 grid.

Reports in the Observer, attributed to F1 insiders, state that Volkswagen is behind the clandestine purchase. This is added to unlikely rumours coming from Germany that the car giant would mate the 2001 Prost chassis to old TWR Arrows engines.

And to add the rumours, there's even speculation that Volkswagen's Skoda brand is the favourite to carry the conglomerate's mantle into the F1 arena.

Whilst these rumours might seem about a month early for April Fools day, there could be some truth behind them. Bernd Pischetsrieder, the new CEO of Volkswagen from April this year, was instrumental in taking BMW back into Formula 1 when he was at the helm of the Munich concern.

Over the years there has been much speculation that Volkswagen would enter the F1 fray, but probably using the Audi brand. Audi has a far greater link to an F1 past as its history includes the pre-war Auto Union Grand Prix cars. Skoda, however, has been the recent Volkswagen Motorsport focus with the WRC Octavia rally effort.

Most recent of Volkswagen's brands to compete in F1 is Lamborghini, who provided engines when they were owned by Chrysler. A return under the Lamborghini brand would seem very unlikely however, as the Italian manufacturer makes very few cars and it would seem an unusual business decision.

We could even see the Volkswagen name in F1. The core brand is keen to move its image upmarket with models such as the D8 and the W8 Passat. And a 'W' engine configuration has even been seen in F1 in the 1980s with the W12 Life effort. This is just wild conjecture and F1 regulations mean a V10 is obligatory in any case.

Using the Volkswagen or Skoda brands would also be at odds with them both being designated as 'classic' brands within the Volkswagen group portfolio. The 'sporting' brands within the group are Audi, Lamborghini and Seat.

It is, however, difficult to see there being truth in an old Prost powered by an even older Arrows engine turning up at Malaysia. Such an effort, in such a short time, would probably barely make it around the track, let alone make it under the 107% qualifying rule. Not the kind of image a company like Volkswagen would like to nurture, especially after so much effort in stopping the infamous Skoda jokes.

If Volkswagen is behind the purchase it could be part of a move related to the motor manufacturers proposed rival Grand Prix championship.

More news and speculation is sure to abound on this issue...