McLaren Racing boss Zak Brown has confirmed his team has been in talks with Audi to work with the German manufacturer for a Formula 1 entry.
There was speculation that Audi, which is part of the VW Group, would consider acquiring the McLaren F1 team as well as its car business as a quick route to the F1 grid, but those talks ended with no deal.
Brown has confirmed talks have been held with Audi but hinted that nothing would happen in the short to medium term given the engine deal with Mercedes is due to run until 2025 when new engine regulations are set to be introduced.
“They have [VW] spoke to a handful of people online and we had conversations,” Brown told the BBC. “But in the short and medium term we are very satisfied with where we are.
“So we’re just waiting to see if they get into the sport because that’s not decided yet.
“If so, we have a contract for that term and of course we will assess where we are and, in due course, make a decision on what we do in 2026.”
Brown also hinted at a deal between Red Bull and another VW Group manufacturer – Porsche. It is thought VW could enter F1 with a works team through its Audi brand and as an engine supplier through Porsche.
“I hear they’re going to do something with Red Bull on the Porsche front,” added Brown.
VW has been heavily involved in future F1 discussions and was actively involved in shaping the 2025 engine regulations, which were tailored to attract new manufacturers.
Red Bull, meanwhile, has reached an agreement with Honda to continue using its engines until 2025 after the Japanese manufacturer retired from the sport at the end of 2021, leaving the Milton Keynes team to set up its own Honda engine maintenance and development department to found.
