Competition.(Porsche is expected to return to auto racing in 2005)(this and other items are discussed)

Porsche to Formula One?

* When Porsche gets around to returning to big-time racing in 2005 (AW, Aug. 19), it appears the German automaker will give Formula One considerable consideration as its motorsport of choice.

Wendelin Wiedeking, Porsche president and CEO, says engineering capacity to develop a race car is available since work on the Cayenne sport/utility vehicle is complete, and money for a major racing effort is earmarked. But the world's most profitable sports car maker still hasn't decided where to allocate those resources. However, Porsche insiders tell AutoWeek it was no coincidence that Aug. 20 inauguration ceremonies for Porsche's new plant in Leipzig were conducted from a dais set on the starting grid of an FIA-certified circuit next to the plant.

The four-kilometer track, which replicates a number of famous turns from tracks around the world, wasn't built merely to serve as a break-in and testing track for the Cayenne or Ferrari-challenging Carrera GTs built at Leipzig. Porsche intends the track to be used not only for manufacturer testing of production and race cars (by Porsche and others), but also to host an F1 event in the future, Porsche officials say. A customer center, ostensibly built to host buyers taking retail delivery of their new cars at the plant, boasts a five-story observation tower overlooking the entire circuit.

According to sources, Porsche's decision to build an F1 track and the Carrera GT points to the likelihood the German automaker is preparing to challenge Ferrari's dominance in sports cars and F1.

Wiedeking also made it clear he has no intention of campaigning at Le Mans: ``It's not really competitive anymore-it's really just VW with several different brands and some smaller brands.''

Hmmmm