Volkswagen group officials have just approved the principle of a commitment by Porsche and/or Audi to Formula 1, provided that the regulations studied for 2026 correspond to their conditions. The trail of a Red Bull-Porsche team seems to be taking shape.
Most of the major car manufacturers take part in meetings organized by the FIA concerning the evolution of F1 regulations in order to reflect on the relevance of a possible commitment to the discipline in relation to their strategy. But, in recent years, more and more insistent rumors evoke a particular interest of the Volkswagen group for F1. This would go through the Porsche and Audi brands. After long discussions through the various hierarchical strata, those responsible for the German giant would have validated this 7 April the principle of such a commitment.
Green light in principle for F1 at Volkswagen
” The boards of directors and supervisory boards of Volkswagen AG, Porsche AG and Audi AG have confirmed the plans of the two brands of the group for a possible commitment to Formula 1. (…) The final decision has not yet been made; we are in the final stage of evaluation said a Volkswagen Group spokesperson. The FIA and the manufacturers are currently drawing up new regulations for 2026. Volkswagen’s decision would depend on what will result from this work. The new rules should notably be based on the disappearance of the MGU-H electric motor (exhaust heat recovery) in favor of a more powerful MGU-K (kinetic energy) than at present to bring electrification closer to the hybrid V6. single-seaters of the technologies used on road cars. The use of a new carbon-neutral fuel, an area in which Porsche and Audi are already investing on their side, is also on the table. The cost cap would also be decisive.
TO READ. F1. The 2022 regulations explained in video with Jean-Louis Moncet
F1 Red Bull with Porsche engine?
A successful McLaren engine manufacturer with TAG in the 1980s, Porsche had, according to multiple sources, almost made its return to F1 in 2018. The project was canceled at the last minute when a V6 turbo hybrid, derived from the V4 of the 919 endurance, was supposedly ready. There was once talk of using this engine in a road hypercar, as is the case on board the Mercedes-AMG One, but this idea would also have been abandoned. Currently, it is with Red Bull that Porsche would discuss. Based on the Honda engines of recent years (the Japanese manufacturer definitely having a knack for leaving F1 when its engines finally bring back titles, in 2009 then 2021), the Austrian team is now developing its own powertrains under the brand Red Bull Powertrains. A partnership would be under study, in which Porsche would take care of the electrical part of the Red Bull mechanics. Present on all fronts, Porsche is already involved in Formula E and is preparing its return to the WEC for 2023.
Audi in F1 with McLaren or Sauber?
Audi also plans to return to the WEC in 2023. But its approach to F1 would be quite different. The manufacturer with the rings would rather seek to afford an existing stable by taking a majority share of its capital. Discussions have been underway for several months with the McLaren group around the acquisition of part of the sports and road entities of the British firm. Ingolstadt treasurers reportedly initially offered 450 million euros to McLaren; an offer deemed too low in Woking. So Audi would just raise the price to 650 million euros.
Exploring all avenues, the German brand would also look towards Sauber, the Swiss team behind the single-seater which currently wears the colors of Alfa Romeo. The two entities have already collaborated on the aerodynamics of the latest Audi R18 endurance. In the absence of a takeover, their collaboration could be directed towards the supply of the powertrain by Audi. And, according to certain rumours, this engine would potentially be derived… from the Porsche block mentioned above. The fraternal rivalry between Porsche and Audi, dating from well before the integration of the first in the Volkswagen group (since it is the Porsche/Piëch family which is behind), is not about to end.
Sources: Auto Motor Und Sport, Automobilwoche
