Audi wants to confirm its plans for entry into Formula 1 at the beginning of next year, the manufacturer has advised the sport and its umbrella organization FIA.
Audi CEO Markus Duesmann and Audi Technology Development Board Member Oliver Hoffmann were satisfied with the progress made by the FIA on the new technical regulations for the 2026 engines.
After the departure of Honda, Formula 1 is looking for a new manufacturer for Ferrari, Mercedes and Renault, whose engines are now being prepared by Red Bull. Two brands of the Volkswagen Group, Audi and Porsche, have expressed their interest, the former has now signaled that it is about to accept an offer.
In a letter on Tuesday, Duesmann and Hoffmann informed F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali and outgoing FIA President Jean Todt that the draft regulations represent a fair compromise for newcomers and existing competitors and that the goals agreed for the new engines are met.
The FIA World Motor Sport Council then confirmed that the 2026 powerplants will keep the existing 1.6-liter V6 engines and increase the amount of electrical energy they can generate while eliminating the expensive MGU-H. The costs for generating sets are also capped for the first time.
The board of directors and supervisory board of Audi will now decide whether to formally approve entry into the championship.
In what appeared to be a blow to rivals Mercedes, Duesmann and Hoffmann opened their letter – seen by RaceFans – with congratulations to Todt on what he saw as a fair conclusion to this year’s Formula 1 championship. They specifically referred to the final lap when Max Verstappen overtook Lewis Hamilton to claim the title after a controversial restart, which Mercedes appealed for four days before stepping down.
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