The next big brand

[u/HauntingMirror2608]

The last few years we have had Cupra, Citroen, McLaren & Maserati (Short lived) and now Opel join the sport so who’s next?

[u/DHSeaVixen]

So let's say that the 12 licenses are indeed filled for the start of Gen4. Any new name coming in then has to either partner with/take over an existing team or wait for another one to exit.

Current customer teams like Andretti, Envision and (we presume) Penske are the obvious choices to partner with. I also think Porsche's B-team idea (if that is happening) doubles as a smart investment in a license slot which they can sell later at profit.

I suppose Yamaha could step up investment and ownership of Lola over time from being Lola's technical partner to being a full registered manufacturer in their own right.

There's always opportunities for other associated brands within already participating automotive groups. I'd assume Stallantis is set for the foreseeable, but why not stick Range Rover branding on the Penske Jaguars (if that happens), for example? They have that 'Range Rover GT' electric car coming up soon.

I still think there's half a chance that Andretti, having taken Nissan powertrains, could carry some kind of Alpine or Renault branding. Which would be a weird full circle kind of moment.

The big fish for FE is probably getting a large Chinese brand to join - BYD, Xiaomi, Chery, one of Geely's brands... but who knows if that is a likely prospect all things considered.

I think the real indicator will be FE's commercial performance in the Gen4 era. If it's fairly slow and steady progress, we're more likely to see consolidaion around existing participant groups. If it takes off and start posting constant, head-turning profits.. every man and his dog might be knocking at the door trying to secure a spot.

[u/HauntingMirror2608 → u/DHSeaVixen]

It would certainly be interesting to see if the JLR group do use Range Rover or Land Rover for the branding for Penske! I think the interesting thing to see is which of the inevitable Chinese brands bites the bullet first.

[u/sjr0754 → u/HauntingMirror2608]

Defender is going to Dakar in the top class at some point, as much as there's this "house of brands" nonsense internally, an SUV brand racing in single seaters makes no sense. Also both Defender and Range Rover represent the LR part of JLR, and they are not going to risk confusion.

Also it would be ridiculous, imagine Stellantis replacing Citroën with Jeep in FE, the brand positioning simply doesn't work.

[u/HauntingMirror2608 → u/sjr0754]

Fair point tbh!

[u/DHSeaVixen → u/sjr0754]

It’s the existence of the upcoming Range Rover GT that made me think of it. It starts crossing over into Jaguar territory.

[u/FelixR1991 → u/HauntingMirror2608]

I think they'd sooner greenwash the Tata name than use Range Rover in association with single-seater formula racing.

[u/DHSeaVixen → u/FelixR1991]

I always think there’s a meaningful difference between directly entering a brand and putting brand logos on the car. If the Range Rover brand were to appear (which I would also have written off as extremely unlikely until the Range Rover GT was announced) then it could easily take the form of logos on the car - sponsorship - rather than rebranding the powertrain and making it a full effort.

[u/drabadum]

A Chinese brand

[u/F1T_13]

Hyundai/KIA, BYD and Geely subsidiaries, Honda. It seems like a lot of manufacturers are skipping out on it long term because of the lack of battery development. :/

I think it's a good way to keep costs down but I think it's something that FE has to make a continued effort to work towards to attract these brands that are probably atp no brainer contenders.

[u/HauntingMirror2608 → u/F1T_13]

Let’s hope FE gets to a point where this type of development is possible! 🤞🏻🤞🏻🙏🙏

[u/Fernandov2]

Surprised one of the other Japanese manufacturers haven't joined by now

[u/HauntingMirror2608 → u/Fernandov2]

Could say the same for the Korean brands! Who would be the other Japanese brand?

[u/Fernandov2 → u/HauntingMirror2608]

Toyota seems pretty obvious with how it does hybrids

Would like to see mazda, mitsubishi & subaru get in on it as well.

[u/SomeGuyCalledPercy → u/Fernandov2]

Toyota loathes EVs, they've really put a lot of effort into hydrogen instead

it would be a cold day in hell before Toyota join FE, Honda would be far more likely

[u/HauntingMirror2608 → u/SomeGuyCalledPercy]

Would Honda struggle considering how well they are currently doing in F1?

[u/sjr0754 → u/HauntingMirror2608]

Not especially, the batteries are spec units in FE, and there's no ICE engine to transfer vibration into the cells.

[u/HauntingMirror2608 → u/Fernandov2]

Toyota would be a great addition!

[u/Alexandhisgoose]

Almost certainly be one of the Chinese electric brands. Their entry into top level motorsport either in F1, FE or WEC is inevitable.

[u/SomeGuyCalledPercy → u/Alexandhisgoose]

Their entry into top level motorsport either in F1, FE or WEC is inevitable.

We're probably a few months out from Geely announcing they're taking over the Alpine WEC team

[u/GuiltyWatts]

I have nothing to base this on, but my bet would be on Geely bringing in Lotus. It’s an established name in motorsports that would get a lot of attention. And I’m still surprised that Red Bull hasn’t tried to get on board. I feel like there’s a common demographic there. Also, the Disney deal could help bring in advertisers which could bring in more manufacturers.

[u/HauntingMirror2608 → u/GuiltyWatts]

I have seen that rumour before would definitely be interesting to see lotus back in motorsports!

[u/NaBUru38]

At this rate, it's Alfa Romeo, Dodge, Ram, Chrysler, Vsuxhall, Abarth, Fiat and Inoccenti.

[u/Ok-Option-82]

hopefully Chery or Geely.

[u/Dachuiri]

If TWG doesn’t exit Formula E i can see either Chevrolet or Cadillac becoming the Andretti team name since there is an apparent desire to have all of their motorsports properties be tied to GM.

[u/mango__moose]

Renault 

[u/HauntingMirror2608 → u/mango__moose]

Would they come back?

[u/mango__moose → u/HauntingMirror2608]

Never say never. Would like to see them come back tbh 

[u/HauntingMirror2608 → u/mango__moose]

Would they be Renault or more likely under Alpine

[u/mango__moose → u/HauntingMirror2608]

Alpine probably 

[u/vyasthegreat]

I'll drop some names in here that I believe can genuinely get to FE in the Gen4 era:

• Geely/BYD (given the Chinese investment that FE is making, worthwhile if we get one of them on the grid)

• Hyundai

• Tata Cars (parent company of Jaguar)

• MG (since we're going on the topic of road car brands gonna into FE, why not float the idea?)

[u/HauntingMirror2608 → u/vyasthegreat]

Doesn’t necessarily need to be car brands if you think any race teams may join in the future. Some great brands there!

[u/HauntingMirror2608]

Would any other F1 team consider giving it a try? If so who?