Audi and Porsche close in on F1 entry

Porsche and Audi are a step closer to entering Formula 1 in 2026 following a high-level meeting inside parent company the VW Group.

A spokesperson told German publication Auto Motor und Sport: "The board of management and supervisory board of Volkswagen AG, Porsche AG and Audi AG have confirmed the plans of the two group brands for a possible entry into Formula 1.

"The Audi and Porsche brands will provide details at a later date."

It is understood Porsche will join forces with Red Bull, while it has been suggested Audi could now partner with Sauber rather than McLaren as had been anticipated.

Porsche has been heavily linked with Red Bull since the team parted company with Honda at the end of last year, while its soon-to-be-completed powertrains facility is an additional lure.

Audi had been linked with a purchase of McLaren, with recent reports suggesting a price of around €500million [£422m] for the Woking-based organisation.

It is believed the two parties have been unable to reach an agreement, leaving Audi to now turn its attention to Sauber, which oversees the Alfa Romeo F1 team.

The only hurdle remaining is the finalisation of the 2026 regulations, which are due to be signed off by the FIA in June, although it has been suggested there may be delays.

The power-unit spec is known as F1 will continue with a 1.6-litre turbo-hybrid engine, albeit without the MGU-H.

A key area of Audi's entry, in particular, is sustainability and whether F1 can follow through on its fuel targets as the sport is hoping to switch to 100 per cent sustainable ‘drop-in fuels’ from 2026.

Related

More F1 news

Latest F1 news

Max Verstappen sends warning to F1 rivals after stunning Red Bull qualifying

• Today 00:35

Lewis Hamilton delighted with Ferrari improvement in Miami

• Today 00:04

F1 Qualifying Results: Kimi Antonelli stars but Max Verstappen shocks rivals in Miami

• Yesterday 23:10

F1 2026 Miami Grand Prix weather forecast - latest from Florida as thunderstorms threaten race

• Yesterday 21:49

F1 star disqualified at Miami Grand Prix

• Yesterday 21:30

FIA announce Miami Grand Prix 'rain hazard' as F1 braced for chaos

• Yesterday 21:15