Audi and Porsche set for F1 green light

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Audi and Porsche set for F1 green light

Audi and Porsche have long been rumoured to be looking to join the F1 grid

Sam Hall

Thursday 31 March 2022 17:20

Volkswagen appears set to give the go-ahead for Audi and Porsche to join the F1 grid.

Reports on Thursday have suggested the rumours that have long surrounded the two car manufacturers are drawing to a close and that a decision is due next week, with McLaren and Red Bull again being touted as likely partners

In November, McLaren dismissed "wholly inaccurate" reports the team had been sold to Audi.

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Earlier this year, however, McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown confirmed talks had taken place with regard to a future partnership.

In the same media briefing, Brown additionally commented, "They [Volkswagen] are going to do something with Red Bull on the Porsche front."

Thursday's reports suggest Audi is willing to offer a fee of around €500million [£422m] for McLaren, an option simpler than attempting to join the grid as a new entrant.

A deal between Porsche and Red Bull has been spoken of since the Milton Keynes-based team parted company with Honda.

With its Red Bull Powertrains facility nearing completion, the lack of set-up costs for Porsche is an enticing prospect.

While Volkswagen and Red Bull may not have worked together in F1, the two have a relationship in other disciplines of motorsport, notably the World Rally Championship.

A key part of Volkswagen's decision is whether it believes F1 can follow through on its fuel targets, with the sport hoping to switch to 100 per cent sustainable ‘drop-in fuels’ for the start of the next engine cycle in 2026.