Hyundai In F1???, Could this be true? Options

[Carbon08]

Believe it or not,

Williams - one of F1's most successful ever grand prix teams - is reportedly in buyout talks with a Korean consortium.

Former BAR principal David Richards, and Korean multinationals Hyundai and Samsung, are thought involved.

Richards, also Prodrive boss and world rally impresario, told F1 Racing magazine: "I haven't spoken to Frank (Williams) or Patrick (Head), but I'm keeping a close watch."

And what about Hyundai? "Possibly -- I've no idea."

[edge718]

That would be something!

[Bigs]

I'd lide like to see that happen actually!!

[Devin]

That'd be very cool! Doesn't BMW own Williams now? And I seem to recall them being involved with Hewlett-Packard as well. Quite a change from BMW/HP to Hyundai/Samsung. Yay Korea!

[hamish_gt]

Can hardly wait to see Nick and Mark ripping up the track with a Beta 2 powerplant

Seriously though, I think this is more of Frank buying companies to support his racing program. It would probably take Hyundai several years and several hundred million dollars of development to get into the performance area of an F1 engine.

[mtlelantra]

That'd be very cool!  Doesn't BMW own Williams now?  And I seem to recall them being involved with Hewlett-Packard as well.  Quite a change from BMW/HP to Hyundai/Samsung.  Yay Korea! 

BMW backing out of Williams and buying Sauber and calling it BMW raceworks or something to that nature.
I dunno how well they'll do in their 1st year (if it happens), but maybe now Minardi and Jordan (I know, they got bought out too) will have someone else to race!

[flcerberus]

Potentially could be a huge development. If they are talking about going upscale in the marketplace an F-1 inspired engine would give them quite a marketing tool.

[Bigs]

A few links on the subject!


http://www.grandprix.com/ns/ns15240.html

http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/forum/showthread.php?t=15776

[Neurowave]

That would definately do a number to add to Hyundai's image and R&D capabilities.

Not to mention throwing another key to the door locking a real sport car from the crooked H.

[Jonas]

While I'm thrilled at the prospect of the crooked "H" appearing on F1, I'd hate for it to be on the backs of Sir Frank Williams and his racing team . As for this foray being turned into a possible succesful marketing tool by Hyundai, I guess that all depends on how well they do if they join the fold. Personally it would be nice if they manage to rejoin WRC (which I thought they were supposed to do next year as well)
It should be an interesting season next year that's for sure; this news along with the new regulations (back to single tyre manufacturer from what I've read) and the continuing struggle with Ecclestone and the other teams who want to form their own racing body should make it interesting to follow and watch.