Legendary manufacturers of the endurance circuit, Audi and Porsche could disrupt the world of Formula 1 from 2026, following the announcement Thursday by the Volkswagen group, which owns the brands.
Article written by
Posted
Updating
Reading time : 1 minute.
Will there be two more German manufacturers in the paddock? On Thursday 7 April, the Volkswagen group declared itself in favor of the project of its subsidiaries Porsche and Audi to enter Formula 1 from 2026. “Volkswagen’s management and supervisory board, as well as Porsche and Audi, have approved plans for the possible entry of the brands into Formula 1”AFP told a spokesperson for the German manufacturer. However, one condition prevails: the championship must succeed in its ecological transformation beforehand.
“So in principle we have the option of joining as early as 2026” the championship, an Audi spokeswoman added. “No decision has been made yet, we are in the final phase of the investigation”, specifies them. Several Formula 1 drivers, including Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) and Max Verstappen (Red Bull), welcomed the news on Friday. “very exciting”. The reigning world champion said to himself “can’t wait to see what the future will bring the teams” from F1.
I think it’s really great to have new manufacturers in the sport, especially when you see that there are a lot of teams that have the potential to be great teams.
Lewis Hamiltonat a press conference in Melbourne
A story that echoes in the same way on the part of the stablemen: “It’s great news that two such brands are considering entering Formula 1.”, Red Bull boss Christian Horner welcomed the press. For his part, at the end of March, the boss of Porsche, Oliver Blume, confirmed the study of an entry into Formula 1, which prompted the press “negotiations” with Red Bull. “Final decision has not yet been made”however, said a spokesperson for the brand.
Committed like the entire Volkswagen group to a massive electric shift, Audi and Porsche hope to take advantage of an entry into Formula 1 to showcase their technologies and ambitions “vegetable”† Audi will not participate in the championship until “condition” that the regulation will be valid from 2026 “plan big changes for a more sustainable sport”the spokeswoman explained on Thursday.
