Audi Close To Joining F1 With Red Bull, McLaren Could Partner With Porsche

It is increasingly likely that the Volkswagen Group will be soon joining F1 after years of overtures by the apex of motorsport. Volkswagen as reported before will be launching its Audi and Porsche brands into the sport. 

Reports suggest that Audi is likely to partner with Red Bull which also becomes an engine manufacturer from next year. Audi has also been linked to a deal with Williams but a partnership with Red Bull is more likely for engine supply which may even retain Audi branding. 

'Insiders expect that the relevant decision-makers will then receive the green light for a participation in the premier league from 2026," said a report by F1 Insider. 

Audi CEO was involved in the meetings for the new engine formula for F1 which starts from 2026

Audi's CEO Markus Duesmann has also hired former BMW engineer Adam Baker with the title "executive for special tasks" who could be tasked with working on the F1 project with the intent of entering the sport in 2026 when the new engine regulations come into place. 

Audi's sister concern Porsche is reportedly in talks with McLaren which currently has Mercedes as an engine partner. Notably, McLaren team principal Andreas Seidl is no stranger to the Volkswagen Group where he won the 24 Hours of Le Mans with Porsche as project manager. 

Jost Capito was the head of motorsport at the VW group 

He is also well known to Markus Duesmann the boss of Audi and Adam Baker from his time at BMW. 

Audi has been long rumored to join F1 - but in 2015 the "diesel gate" scandal prevented the brand from joining the sport. At the time there was the likelihood of a partnership with Red Bull which seemingly is on the cusp of happening now. 

In the case of Williams too, its CEO, Jost Capito was the boss of motorsport at the Volkswagen group and perhaps that's why there are mumours of a potential partnership.