Ground Effect wrote: ↑13 May 2021, 10:17
ripleysend wrote: ↑13 May 2021, 10:01
mwillems wrote: ↑13 May 2021, 09:41
Whatever it is, it's a big project.
So on the table is:
New major investors, Non engine related and possibly chinese
Purchasing of Riccardo
FE and WEC entries
Specific enhanced Mercedes partnership
Specific BMW/VAG partnership (Or any other major motor manufacturer)
Purchasing a stake in a smaller team (Could we have invested in Williams?)
Personally I think it is a partnership with a motor manufacturer, or specifically investment from VAG group.
But somehow I think it could be something quite leftfield, otherwise why would they get us as excited as this.
I don't think it will be a chinese buyout or investment, Latifi made a significant investment and that was a byline in many ways, but on the other hand, Mclaren as an F1 team has been actively on the market since June of last year. Still, I'm going with a major motor manufacturer investing in the group and having a tie in with the F1 team.
And I'll put one more crazy thing on the table, but will almost never happen (In fact I don't think it could happen), but I want to pull the grenade and walk away..... !!!
HONDA TO RETURN TO MCLAREN!
Some interesting ideas there. Re BMW - there's certainly been discussions with BMW on various things from FE to road car collaboration, so not out of the realm of possibility. Williams of course now has plenty of ex McLaren in senior positions so not also crazy, although would Williams' current investors welcome new ownership so soon after making their acquisition? McLaren becoming works Merc team also very interesting thought.
From what has been reported on quite a few occasions, BMW have zero interest and appetite to return to F1. VAG however have been flirting and holding talks recently. McLaren, Williams and Red Bull have been mentioned. I’m not ruling out stronger ties with Mercedes though, but a real dream scenario would be VAG coming on board, headed by Andy Cowell.
Well I didn't want to go too far into dreamworld, but at about the same time that Audi announced they would leave FE, Mclaren announced an interest. It could be completely coincidental, or not.
Mclaren as a team are a very strong way for any manufacturer to raise a profile in Motorsports, and Mclaren joining FE themselves would be a great way for FE to raise their profile.
Which raises one further option, the agreement could be for Electrical Powertrains or for the joint development of electrical Powertrains.
Now that would be big enough to warrant this excitement. I wonder if we are going to jointly develop Electrical powertrains with VAG and replace them in FE, theres a ton of ways that could make business sense.
No longer FE expenditure for Audi, still raise the profile for Audi and Mclaren, Mclaren save expense on Electrical development and still go into FE. The FIA could potentially incentivise Mclaren to join FE, as it would be massive, therefore everyone get's what they want. Perhaps VAG take a small stake in Mclaren whilst they undergo this partnership, with VAG supplying engines to Mclaren for the fully electrical sportscars.
<Rubs knees excitedly for a far too long period of time for it to be acceptable> Oh Please be true. </Stops rubbing knees>