The Volkswagen Group (VW) Board of Supervisors has given a go-ahead to Audi and Porsche to enter F1. However, the final decision must wait for the regulation of the power unit (PU) after 2026 to be finalized. Porsche is expected to team up with Red Bull, and Audi is whispering a partnership with Sauber.
The meeting was held on April 7, ahead of the opening of the F1 Australian Grand Prix the next day. The group’s board of auditors and management supported the F1 entry plan by two Porsche and Audi brands, according to sources in Germany. At the earliest, in 2026 when the next-generation PU will be introduced, it will be on the grid of the highest peak of four wheels.
Although details have been announced at a later date and basic approval has been obtained, the final decision is pending at this time, and no official announcement will be made until the contract is signed and stamped. All will wait for the final decision on F1 regulation after 2026.
The next-generation F1 power unit will maintain the current 1.6-liter V6 turbo, while it has been agreed that the MGU-H will be abolished and the motor will be only one MGU-K, but a wide range of unsolved problems. Because of this, not everything will be decided in June, and the final decision may be extended until this fall.
As for the part related to Porsche and Audi, there are special measures for new participating manufacturers. There is still debate about engine manufacturer budget limits and test bench time limits. There is also a trade-off between Red Bull Powertrains, which aims to supply its own PU from 2026 on behalf of Honda. The team is wary of rivals gaining an unfair advantage.
While Porsche’s alliance is seen as Red Bull’s choice, Audi’s initially-argued partnership with McLaren is gradually diminishing.
Audi has continued to negotiate for the acquisition of the entire group, including the F1 division, but McLaren has shown little interest in the sale.Offer amount raised to about 500 million euros (about 67.3 billion yen)It is rumored that he rejected.
Sauber is one of the leading candidates instead. Currently, Alfa Romeo’s name is listed as part of the crown sponsorship contract, so there is little resistance to changing the team name, and it is also that Yang Monshaw, who was once the technical director at Audi, is the head of the technical team. It’s one of the causes. It is also pointed out that there is a possibility of a partnership with Williams, which is also led by former VW Jost Capito.
Also here, the name of Aston Martin suddenly emerged. Lawrence Stroll, who is interested in manufacturing his own engine, has reportedly asked Audi about the possibility of a partnership. It is said that the background is that Brixworth’s Mercedes HPP stock acquisition negotiations did not proceed as expected and broke down.
According to Heilbronner Stimme, Porsche, unlike Audi, wants to participate as a technology partner and is not interested in developing power units.