Volkswagen to enter Audi and Porsche into Formula One 

Volkswagen has confirmed that it plans to enter two of its brands, Audi and Porsche, into Formula One from 2026.

The news is a huge boon to the sport — the involvement of a manufacturer of this size and stature will help to grow further the sport’s popularity.

The likelihood is that Volkswagen will not expand the field from the present crop of ten teams, but will instead look to partner with existing teams as an engine supplier.

The reason Volkswagen is aiming for 2026 is because that is when new engine regulations are due to come in.

Making an official statement on its intent to join the sport, which depends on the new regulations, will give Volkswagen a voice at the table when the new rules are discussed.

The company’s entry would create more competition on the grid, as there are at present only three long-term engine suppliers: Mercedes, Renault and Ferrari.

Traditionally, only those works teams — which use their own engines — have won championships, with customer teams — which use engines supplied by another manufacturer — fighting in the midfield.

One exception was Red Bull, when they partnered with Renault to win both the drivers’ and constructors’ championships between 2010 and 2013, though they were in effect a works team, as it was before the French manufacturer entered their own team.

Red Bull are heavily rumoured to be involved with Volkswagen’s entry. Volkswagen has not worked in F1 before but has teamed up with Red Bull in the World Rally Championship.

This season Red Bull have taken on the Honda engine project after the Japanese manufacturer pulled out of the sport, and it is now believed that they will team up with Porsche.

Audi was understood to be close to a deal with McLaren, who run Mercedes engines, though both sides have denied this.

McLaren have flitted between engine providers in recent years, including Honda and Renault, before teaming up with Mercedes, and a long-term deal would suit the Woking-based team.

Williams, Aston Martin and Sauber have also been linked with a potential tie-up with Audi.