.
Could Formula 1's recent change of ownership help reverse Volkswagen's stance on the pinnacle of motorsport?
It's perhaps more a case of wishful thinking on the part of those who wish the German manufacturer would take the plunge and get involved with one of its premium brands such as Audi, Lamborghini or.. Bentley.
A year ago, Wolfgang Dürheimer, chairman and CEO of Bentley Motors and Bugatti, and VW's former motorsport boss, said loud and clear that Formula 1 was not on the company's agenda, criticizing the sport's governance at the time and its lack of regulation clarity with regard to the future.
Volkswagen's emissions scandal has undoubtedly taken its toll on the brand's goodwill and reputation however, and repairing its image is certainly at the forefront of its priorities.
Could the mission to rebuild of its reputation coupled with Formula 1's structural changes entice Volkswagen to consider Formula 1?
Wolfgang Dürheimer is apparently not ruling it out, offering few comments to the German media on the subject yesterday.
“From my point of view, the whole topic is currently being reviewed. It is an absolute new beginning."
“If such a new start is to be recognised, then one must, of course, also put the previous decisions to the test and re-evaluate them."
A green Formula 1 Bentley would certainly beef up the grid quite nicely. Everyone needs a bit of fantasy.
GALLERY: F1 drivers' wives and girlfriends
Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter
Formula 1 has set up shop at the Temple of Speed for what many expect…
Lewis Hamilton arrived at Monza with Ferrari's home crowd already dreaming of something special —…
Fernando Alonso is refusing to lose faith in Honda, even as Aston Martin’s ambitious new…
Kimi Antonelli heads into his home Italian Grand Prix this weekend with an unusual luxury…
Italy's Giuseppe Farina won the Italian Grand Prix at Monza on this day in 1950,…
For Lewis Hamilton, nothing says "late-summer heatwave in Northern Italy" quite like a heavy wool…