Porsche and Audi will enter Formula 1the elite of motorsport, since 2026. This was announced by the Executive Director VolkswagenHerbert Diss.

The growth in popularity of Formula 1 and the technical re-equipment of this category in four years are the main motives for this desire.

In the current F1 season we have ten teams, each with two drivers on the grid; they: Ferrari Scuderia, Mercedes AMG Petronas, Team Aston Martin F1, Red Bull Racing, McLaren, Williams Racing, Team Haas F1, Alpine F1 Team, Scuderia Alfa Tauri and Alfa Romeo. It is not yet known if there will be more teams in 2026 for one of the brands to enter, but Audi’s intention is to acquire one of the smaller teams that are already in F1, such as Aston Martin or Williams, instead of starting a new team. . It’s still an open question whether Audi will really get a seat in F1 four years from now.

Porsche, on the other hand, is interested in supplying the engine to established teams such as Red Bull Racing, so its F1 presence is already taken for granted in 2026.

“In Porsche, this is already relatively specific. Audi not so much.“, Diss said in an interview broadcast by Volkswagen. “You cannot enter Formula 1 until the technology window opens. It takes a change of rules to get there“, – added the CEO, stressing that this factor is decisive for the two brands to enter F1.

From 2026, Formula 1 will take greener measures, starting with engines. They will retain the V6 turbo technology, but the MGU-H electric battery will be replaced by the MGU-K, producing around 476 hp. from an internal combustion engine and an electric motor; the fuel will be 100% CO2 neutral; The spending ceiling will be USD 140 million (R$ 666 million at the current price).

It is expected that Audi and Porsche will stop competing in other categories and focus their efforts only on Formula 1. This is an opportunity that Volkswagen does not want to miss and to which it has dedicated itself. “You need to develop a new engine, and it will take you three to four years to develop a new engine.”, analyzed Diss.

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Source: Grand Prix