Following months of intense talks and speculation, VW Group has officially confirmed that both Audi and Porsche will join the Formula One championship. The news came from Herbert Diess, CEO of the VW Group, during a talk that was broadcasted on VW Group’s YouTube channel on Monday morning.
As reported by Reuters, the CEO revealed that Porsche’s preparations for its F1 involvement were “a little more concrete” than Audi’s. The decision for both brands to enter F1 was taken because of the growing popularity of the sport worldwide and the opportunity arising from the new regulations which will come into play in 2026. This was described as a “technology window” by the CEO who admitted it is the only way for newcomers to enter the sport.
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While Herbert Diess didn’t go into specifics, we already knew a fair bit of VW Group’s plans for its first involvement with F1. Porsche is aiming to establish a long-term partnership with Red Bull, with the Zuffenhausen brand hoping to continue its rich motorsports heritage. After all, F1 is heading to synthetic fuels, and Porsche has already invested in this technology as an alternative future for its sportscars next to electrification.
Audi reportedly follows a different route, offering around €500 million to buy McLaren. The talks are ongoing, with a possible acquisition making it easier for the German brand to enter F1. According to Herbert Diess, this will also happen after 2026, taking advantage of the new regulations which will naturally allow them to become competitive since everyone will be sent back to the drawing board.
