Audi and Porsche involvement should be taken with a pinch of salt

The Volkswagen Group’s intention to join F1 took another step forwards last week. CEO Herbert Diess announced the board’s decision, although not unanimous, to become involved from 2026. Speculation is rife as to what roles are envisaged by the new additions to the grid. Diess hinted both Audi and Porsche will enter the field as engine manufacturers, and media rumours support this as far as Porsche is concerned. The idea of the German super car manufacturer developing and manufacturing the proposed new generation of the 1.6-litre V6 makes a lot of sense. Consider the power unit that took McLaren to…

The Volkswagen Group’s intention to join F1 took another step forwards last week.

CEO Herbert Diess announced the board’s decision, although not unanimous, to become involved from 2026. Speculation is rife as to what roles are envisaged by the new additions to the grid.

Diess hinted both Audi and Porsche will enter the field as engine manufacturers, and media rumours support this as far as Porsche is concerned.

The idea of the German super car manufacturer developing and manufacturing the proposed new generation of the 1.6-litre V6 makes a lot of sense.

Consider the power unit that took McLaren to victories and world championships back in the 1980s was a turbocharged, 1.5 litre V6 designed and built by TAG-Porsche.

If Porsche becomes an F1 engine manufacturer, many believe they will team up with Red Bull – an interesting prospect.

All efforts in the Red Bull Powertrain venture have revolved around the Austrian team’s collaboration with previous engine supplier, Honda.

I have to wonder how this situation will be rationalised.

Will future engine development include Honda input or will the Japanese manufacturer no longer play a part in activities?

I also wonder who owns the “Intellectual Property Rights” of the Honda technology.

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But what of Audi? It appears the Ingolstadt manufacturer is aiming for more than being just another engine supplier, but rather a fully fledged F1 team and they are already testing the waters.

It has been reported McLaren chief Zak Brown and team principal Andreas Seidel, who previously led Porsche’s successful WEC LMP1 programme, rejected an offer of €650-million (about R11-billion) from Audi to buy into the Woking team.

But there are others currently in F1 who may be looking for the chance to lessen investment and expenditure. Alfa Romeo Sauber is one name that has occurred in connection to an Audi purchase.

So is Williams, whose team principal Jost Capito has many years experience with Volkswagen Motorsport having led the team that swept the board in WRC.

Perhaps the team most interested in such a deal is Aston Martin. Team owner Lawrence Stroll confirmed he has met with Audi regarding possible works collaboration in F1 for 2026 and beyond.

Looking at the Silverstone based team’s dismal performance so far this season, such an agreement could suit both parties.

Many attribute the downward path of the former Force India/Racing Point team to Stroll’s intervention in the day-to-day running of the equipe. It does not appear to have borne fruit.

For Audi to pick up the pieces would be somewhat of a Herculean task, but at least they would have a German driver if Sebastian Vettel remains. Employing German drivers is something Diess wishes to see, along with a Grand Prix held again on German soil.

In fact, the announcement by Volkswagen is a little strange and perhaps somewhat premature.

The original agreement stated a decision would be based on the company’s acceptance of the 2026 engine regulations, which has yet to be approved and published.