Quote Originally Posted by BDunnell View Post
Why would any new manufacturer enter any of the FIA world championships, except perhaps the WEC, at the moment? They're not going to win, so what's the point? Even entering the WEC brings little in the way of exposure, other than if you win Le Mans, and even then not much.
Current WEC is actually pretty attractive. Audi is a long-time customer, but in recent years both Toyota and Porsche have joined plus this year Nissan as well. WEC also has hybrid technology, but it looks like the regulations/cost scale is much better balanced. Which means it is much cheaper to develop the hybrid stuff and go racing in WEC and manufacturers are interested in trying it out.

Problem with F1 is that it is not only expensive, but succeeding is truly difficult as well as the standards are so high. Honda, Toyota and BMW all pulled out once they didn't reach their goals in late 2000s. Now with new hybrid technology everybody else except Mercedes is left a long way behind. If you want to succeed, you have to pump in so much money it is crazy and even then there are no guarantees you may end up near the front of the field!