The revised engine regulations for 2026 have finally been accepted by Formula 1, opening the door for ‘new’ manufacturers like Audi and Porsche to compete in the sport soon.
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From 2026, Audi and Porsche plan to compete in Formula 1.
Porsche and Audi will both compete in Formula 1, according to Herbert Diess, CEO of parent company Volkswagen Group.
Diess announced that the group’s Porsche and Audi brands will both participate in the sport during an online “Dialogue with Diess” question-and-answer session. He said, “You just run out of reasons [not to join F1].
The decision to enter F1 divided the Volkswagen Group board of directors, according to Diess, who also disclosed that the board ultimately decided to approve the move since it will generate more money than it will cost.
Porsche and Audi will join F1 in 2026, according to Volkswagen CEO
How the two brands will work with already active Formula 1 teams is still unclear.
When new rules are adopted in 2026, according to the CEO of Volkswagen, the company’s Porsche and Audi brands will start racing in Formula 1.
Formula 1 is trying to lure new manufacturers, most notably VW, to join its existing pool as it introduces altered engine regulations starting in 2026. The 10 teams on the grid are currently supported by powertrains from Mercedes, Ferrari, Renault, and Red Bull.
The 2026 regulations’ basic structure has been established for some time. The little particulars are still being arranged. Officials from VW have already stated that the firm was anticipating that time.
For the first time, Volkswagen CEO Herbert Diess stated in a question-and-answer session posted on YouTube on Monday that the company’s two premium brands will compete in Formula 1 starting in 2026. Diess cited the expansion of Formula 1 in important areas like the United States and China, the increased interest of younger viewers, and the possibility presented by the engine regulations of 2026.
How the two companies will collaborate with current Formula 1 teams is still unclear.
Red Bull Powertrains, which was established for 2022 in order for Red Bull’s two teams—Red Bull Racing and AlphaTauri—to continue using Honda’s powertrains after the Japanese manufacturer’s official exit, has been strongly linked to a partnership with Porsche.
Porsche’s most prosperous period in Formula 1 occurred in the middle of the 1980s when it partnered with McLaren as an engine supplier and entered their cars under the TAG logo. It last appeared in 1991, during a disastrous alliance with the Footwork-branded Arrows team that lasted barely a few races.
Despite the manufacturer being associated with various teams recently, Audi’s plans are still unclear.
Audi and Porsche will start funding F1 teams in 2026.
The legendary two brands of German luxury automakers Audi and Porsche are expected to partner with racing teams in the motorsport championship when they enter Formula 1 in 2026.
Their parent corporation Volkswagen would be able to divide development costs among its Lamborghini, Porsche, and McLaren racing teams if they competed in Formula One. For the two automakers to compete in Formula 1, the supervisory board of Volkswagen must give its consent.
- As powerplant suppliers, Porsche and Audi would enter Formula 1.
- McLaren and Audi would collaborate to power Audi’s racing squad.
- Porsche is thinking about collaborating with Red Bull Racing.
Porsche entering Formula One?
The German automaker has decided not to team up with Red Bull in Formula One in 2026 after months of rumors. Porsche has announced that it will not compete in Formula One with Red Bull in 2026.
Audi and Porsche: F1 participants?
A deal to acquire Sauber, which is presently in competition under the Alfa Romeo banner, is almost ready to be finalized by the manufacturer.
Porsche, however, had yet to formally announce its intention to collaborate with Red Bull and the newly formed Red Bull Powertrains company.
Given that Mercedes just competed against the two German companies in Formula E, Wolff made it clear that Mercedes welcomes the rivalry.
“And having some of the best auto manufacturers in the world as competitors is excellent for the sport and great for us.
“For any automobile firm in the world, Formula One is the fiercest sporting competition. It already is, and as more newcomers arrive, things will only get more difficult.
The new Audi Sport F1 concept car is unveiled by Stefano Domenicali, CEO of Formula 1, Mohammed bin Sulayem, President of the FIA, Oliver Hoffmann, Head of Technical Development at Audi Sport GmbH, and Markus Duesmann, Chairman of the Board of Management of Audi AG.
Wolff claimed to comprehend the various approaches Porsche and Audi are using for their respective initiatives.
“I believe you are merely hedging your bets, as one is your completely integrated works team in Switzerland and the other is your affiliation with one of the top F1 teams in the world. I think the dual-track approach makes sense.
Jost Capito, the head of the Williams team and the former head of the Volkswagen WRC program, concurred that the strength of the Formula One series was proved by Audi’s entry.
It’s a signal for all other manufacturers, and it highlights the significance and advancement made by F1 in recent years.
“A few years ago, it was unthinkable, but now it’s even two manufacturers, two brands from the VW Group, with Porsche most likely to confirm and Audi affirmed. Therefore, I believe it to be excellent for F1.
“I believe Audi has had success everywhere they have gone. And if they follow the program and take it seriously, they will arrive sooner or later, in my opinion. There are none in my mind about this.
Why does Porsche not compete in F1?
Porsche left Formula One at the end of the season due to exorbitant expenditures after recently purchasing the Reutter facility. Due to the fact that F1 was too far removed from road cars, Volkswagen and German suppliers had no interest in making a commitment.
Porsche acquiring Red Bull F1?
Christian Horner, the team’s CEO for Red Bull F1, maintains that the team should continue to be independent starting in 2026. During the F1 race in Zandvoort last weekend, he was reported as saying: “Red Bull’s team is its most valuable marketing asset globally, so why would we strategically jeopardize that? If the proper partner can be found strategically, we’re on a really interesting trajectory that is not dependent on outside involvement or investment.”
Porsche is still interested in competing in Formula One, even though a contract with Red Bull is not formally happening: Despite the approved regulation revisions, Porsche continues to find the racing series to be a desirable environment, which will be closely watched.
Meanwhile, according to recent sources, Audi is seeking to negotiate a deal with Sauber and make its F1 debut in 2026.
Which Formula One team is Porsche buying?
Legal documents state that Porsche will buy a 50% stake in Red Bull Technology in order to partner with the team and enter Formula 1 in 2026.
When the new power unit regulations were announced earlier this year, VW stated that the Volkswagen Group was interested in competing in Formula One. Porsche and Audi were given the go-ahead to start developing their entry. Audi’s plans seem less firm at this time, but Porsche has frequently been associated with a relationship with Red Bull, and further information about the plans has now surfaced.
Although there is currently no formal confirmation, Morocco’s mandated publishing of the proposed deal has resulted from the requirement to submit evidence to antitrust authorities:
Porsche has agreed to buy a 50% investment in Red Bull Technology, according to the disclosure form, which claims the deal will be disclosed on August 4 and will need a 10-year commitment. Porsche is anticipated to provide the power unit, but the ownership stake may give it more sway.
Porsche buying Red Bull Formula One?
The revised power unit restrictions and cost-cutting initiatives intended to make F1 more competitive and accessible lured the German manufacturer to consider a comeback.
Porsche didn’t have the capacity to produce its own F1 engine, therefore the plan was to collaborate with the nascent Red Bull Powertrains initiative.
Then, in July, it was revealed that Porsche also intended to purchase a 50% ownership in Red Bull Technology, the organization that effectively manages the Red Bull Racing team and supplies the AlphaTauri, Red Bull’s second F1 entrant.
The owner of Red Bull, Dietrich Mateschitz, was rumored to have invited a deal with Porsche, according to rumors in the F1 paddock. Red Bull Racing executives Christian Horner, Helmut Marko, and Adrian Newey, on the other hand, were rumored to be opposed to such a move and wanted the Milton Keynes-based company to maintain its independence.
It has been asserted that Horner and Marko successfully fought for this outcome because, most recently, Horner maintained that any Porsche agreement would have to be in accordance with Red Bull’s terms and, most importantly, would be an engine-only agreement.
Therefore, Porsche was forced to essentially accept an engine branding agreement while Audi, a Volkswagen Group sibling brand, started the Formula One season with its own in-house engine and, as was predicted, acquired the Sauber team.
Porsche has now concluded that giving up on this is not worthwhile. The business stated in a statement that it had spoken with Red Bull “over the past few months about the potential of Porsche’s entry into Formula 1.”
The two businesses have now mutually decided that these discussions won’t go any further, according to Porsche.
“The idea was always that a relationship would be founded on an equal footing, and that this would apply to both the team and the engine collaboration. This was not feasible.
Despite the approved regulation revisions, Porsche continues to find the racing series to be a desirable environment, which will be closely watched.
Can Audi compete in Formula One?
It follows the publication earlier this month of new power unit regulations, which were created expressly to make it practical and appealing for newcomers to enter the sport at a competitive level.
The 2026 power units will retain the current V6 internal combustion engine architecture but will have more electrical power and only use 100 percent sustainable fuels, according to Audi, two elements that were important in it joining.
Audi, a member of the Volkswagen Group, also stated that it supports F1’s goals to become more cost-effective and environmentally friendly. F1 has set a target of becoming Net Zero Carbon by 2030 and will establish a cost cap for power unit makers in 2023.
It also marks a significant acknowledgment of the importance of the automotive industry’s transition to hybrid engines powered by sustainable fuels in 2026. We are all anticipating seeing the Audi insignia on the starting grid and will learn more about their plans in due course. a
In advance of this weekend’s Belgian Grand Prix, Audi made its 2026 entry official at a press conference at Spa. Speakers included Domenicali, FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem, Member of the Board of Management for Technical Development Oliver Hoffmann, and Chairman of the Board of Management of AUDI AG Markus Duesmann.
The manufacturer stated that by the end of this year, they will disclose their choice of team for 2026.
The engine will be constructed at Audi Sport’s Neuburg factory, the first time an F1 powertrain has been made in Germany in more than ten years.
According to Audi, its Neuburg base already has test stands for evaluating F1 engines as well as electric motors and batteries. By the end of the year, they are working to have the necessary individuals, structures, and technical infrastructure in place. After that, they will have three years to perfect the PU before moving on to F1.