McLaren confirm Audi talks

McLaren

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McLaren confirm Audi talks

Could McLaren prove to be an entry point into F1 for the Volkswagen Group?

GPFans Staff

Thursday 20 January 2022 08:00

McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown has revealed the team "had conversations" with the Volkswagen Group about a future F1 partnership.

The team issued a strongly worded statement in November categorically denying a "wholly inaccurate" report that it had been sold to Audi.

However, the statement added that: "McLaren’s technology strategy has always involved ongoing discussions and collaboration with relevant partners and suppliers, including other carmakers."

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Speaking in a media briefing, Brown has now confirmed that talks did take place between McLaren and Audi.

"They've [Volkswagen Group] spoken with a handful of people on the grid, and we had conversations, but in the short term and medium term we are very happy where we are," said Brown.

"So we are just going to wait and see are they going to come into the sport, because that's not been definitively decided.

"If they do, we have a contract through this term and naturally we're going to evaluate where we are and take a decision on what we do in 2026 in due course."

McLaren currently receives power units from Mercedes with a contract in place until the end of 2025 at which point the sport will introduce new engine regulations.

Despite the talks, Brown conceded Red Bull would be the likely entry point for the VW Group into F1.

After acquiring the IP for former power unit supplier Honda's technology, the team has created its own powertrains division in Milton Keynes although the use of this technology takes the team to the end of the current regulations.

Brown added of the VW Group: "I'm hearing they are going to do something with Red Bull on the Porsche front."