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LinkedInVolkswagen will leave WRC at the end of 2016
Four-time World Rally Champion Volkswagen will cease its WRC operations at the end of the 2016 season, despite having developed a new car for 2017.
According to Autosport.com, the decision came from a Volkswagen board meeting at the German marque’s headquarters in Wolfsburg, Germany.
When RACE TECH called Volkswagen for comment, a spokesperson declined to comment on the matter or when to expect an announcement.
The team wrapped up its fourth World Rally Constructor’s Championship at Wales Rally GB, taking top honours in every WRC championship since 2013.
Unlike Audi, which announced that it is withdrawing from WEC at the end of the season, the VW squad has been working on a car for the next generation of WRC technical regulations which come into effect in 2017.
According to reports, attempts were made in the board meeting to postpone the decision to the end of the 2017 season to put its new car to some use. However, it seems the 2017 Polo R WRC car will end up a stillborn project.
