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As early as 2026, Audi and Porsche engines could also power Formula 1 cars
Photo: IMAGO/HOCH ZWEI / IMAGO/HochZwei
The VW subsidiaries Porsche and Audi are pushing ahead with their plans to enter Formula 1.
"Both have started to develop engines," said Volkswagen boss Herbert Diess on Monday at an event organized by the "Wolfsburger Allgemeine Zeitung" and "Wolfsburger Nachrichten".
The background to the recent approval of the VW supervisory board for the projects is the prospect of increasing income.
"We got the promise that we would get more money to Wolfsburg with Formula 1 than without Formula 1," said Diess.
Porsche and Audi are each aiming to start in the top motorsport class by 2026.
Formula 1 wants to accommodate interested manufacturers with a rule compromise.
From 2026, the hybrid engines are to be operated with 100 percent sustainable fuel.
The combustion engine in the unit should only contribute 50 percent of the power, the rest is electric.
That fits with the future direction of the auto industry.
Diess also made rule changes a condition for the implementation of the plans, otherwise you can only ride at the front in "five to ten years": "You can only get in if you have a major rule change."
Rumors about Porsche joining Red Bull Racing
The VW boss made it clear that the parent company would not participate in the Formula 1 projects of its subsidiaries.
At Porsche, the plans are "quite concrete".
As the sportiest brand in the group, Porsche must get involved in motorsport.
"When Porsche does motorsport, the most efficient thing is to drive Formula 1," said Diess.
Porsche is associated with joining the Red Bull team of world champion Max Verstappen.
For Audi, however, several options are under discussion.
Instead of the initially negotiated deal with McLaren, Aston Martin and the Sauber team, which has been operating under the name Alfa Romeo since 2019, are now mentioned as possible partners.
cev/dpa/sid
