Mar 5, 2006

Bugatti to Return to F1?

A recent report from Europe has started some fascinating speculation that could -- if all the stars align -- result in the return of Bugatti to Formula One racing after more than half a century. But before you go out shopping for the racing-blue Bugatti t-shirt, know this:  right now there is much more speculation to this story, yet it could (should?) happen.

Here's the thinking:  First, there is little doubt that F1 legend Michael Schumacher, arguably the best Formula One driver ever, is currently dissatisfied with his association with Ferrari. Of course, Ferrari was responsible for Schumachers's greatest successes, but in the fast-paced world of F1 racing that was then and this is now. On the verge of the start of the 2006 Grand Prix season, Schumacher is publicly confident about Ferrari's chances to put him back on the podium again and again, eventually culminating in another World Driving Championship, but privately Schumacher seems less convinced that his current team can recapture the magic of just two years ago. 

"Renault seem to be the strongest team at this time, but we and Honda are not far behind," Schumacher told BBC Sport. "I'm satisfied and see no reason to be less than optimistic."

For Schumacher, who as a competitor is never satisfied, that statement is uncharacteristically downbeat and rumor is rife that upon his retirement from Grand Prix racing, which many expect to occur at the conclusion of his current contract, Schumacher will create his own F1 team. In fact Eddie Jordan recently told F1 Racing magazine, "I believe the idea of Michael starting his own team is being discussed."

Of course Schumacher is fabulously rich, but even a man with his wealth could not presume to support a winning F1 effort, so who would fund a Schumacher GP effort? Jordan thinks that Volkswagen AG is a logical candidate, but while he floated the notion of an Audi racing team a much better candidate that currently resides within the Volkswagen orbit is Bugatti. With a fabled GP racing history it is the perfect mark for re-entry into the stratospheric world of F1. And the perfect place for Schumacher to land after his precedent-setting career at Ferrari.