There is a lot of talk about whether the Volkswagen Group will enter Formula 1 through Audi and Porsche or not. Many would assume they would form their own teams, but reports say they could power McLaren and Red Bull and enter Formula 1 in 2026.
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Additionally, it is speculated that Audi might acquire the Woking-based company as it is allegedly in financial trouble. Nevertheless, it all depends on the Volkswagen Group, whether it wants to be part of the premier class of motorsport.
Audi and Porsche could combine with McLaren and Red Bull by 2026
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According to CAR, the Volkswagen Group is considering whether to become part of Formula 1. The latest reports suggest that they may want to partner with F1 teams to be their powertrain supplier.
The report says Audi will be looking for engines for the Woking-based company. But that’s not all, the group could also try to acquire McLaren and reportedly have talks with Mumtalakat (a large McLaren shareholder). If the deal to supply McLaren with aggregates doesn’t go through, they’ll supposedly make a deal with Williams.
Formula 1 F1 – Qatar Grand Prix – Losail International Circuit, Lusail, Qatar – November 20, 2021 McLaren’s Daniel Ricciardo during the REUTERS / Thaier Al-Sudani qualifying
Elsewhere, Porsche is holding talks with Red Bull in order to supply them with engines in 2026. If both parties disagree, Porsche could make a deal with Red Bull’s sister team AlphaTauri. Effective immediately, the Milton Keynes-based team will manufacture their own power units as Honda parted ways with them at the end of the 2021 season.
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Who is currently the engine supplier to McLaren and Red Bull?
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From the 2018 season to the 2020 season, McLaren worked with Renault as an engine supplier. However, at the beginning of the 2021 season, the team led by Zak Brown decided to cut ties with the French team and join forces with Mercedes to be their genset supplier.
Formula 1 F1 – Abu Dhabi Grand Prix – Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates – December 12, 2021 Red Bulls Max Verstappen during the REUTERS / Ahmed Jadallah race
On the other hand, Red Bull has been working with Japanese engine manufacturer Honda since 2019. However, during the 2021 season, Honda decided that they would leave by the end of the year. The decision caused a lot of panic within the Milton Keynes-based team, but they soon had a plan and decided to build their own engines for the season ahead.
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What are your predictions for the upcoming Formula 1 season, as the 2022 season is only a few months away? Let us know what you think in the comments section below.
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