AUDI AND PORSCHE LOOK INTO TEAM PURCHASE
“IT’S NO SECRET TO SAY VOLKSWAGEN WITH PORSCHE AND AUDI ARE HAVING A VERY CLOSE LOOK AT F1 ROSS BRAWN
03Volkswagen brands Audi and Porsche are likely to decide on their long-rumoured F1 involvement in the next few weeks. As previously reported in GP Racing, the new commercial structure in the Concorde Agreement – which gives existing teams a ‘franchise value’ – along with changes to the powertrain regulations and adoption of sustainable fuels may tempt brands to enter as engine manufacturers or team owners.
F1 has been courting the VW Group for over a year, trying to persuade it to commit to developing an engine for the new regulations due to come into force in 2026. These rules, which include a greater proportion of electrical energy, the removal of the MGU-H, and net carbon zero fuel, were due to be signed off by the FIA’S World Motorsport Council on December 15.
“Electrification has its place, we believe sustainable fuels have their place,” said Ross Brawn, F1’s managing director of motorsports, in late November. “There’s a billion vehicles, getting on to two billion vehicles, on the road at the present time and you can’t get rid of them. So unless you find something which can be applied to these vehicles you’re not going to have the impact that you want.
“We believe F1 can set an example of how a sustainable fuel can be created and used. That’s actually why we’re seeing manufacturers take a much stronger interest in the sport because they can see the value of that involvement. It’s no secret to say Volkswagen with Porsche and Audi are having a very close look at F1 and that’s one of the reasons they’re interested. And I think there’ll be more.”
VW’S involvement could take the form of an engine supply arrangement, badged as Porsche or Audi, or it could take a stake in a team. It was believed VW was seeking to partner with start-up Red Bull Powertrains on engine development, but it’s understood that a fully in-house operation is also a possibility, since this would not dilute the VW Group’s involvement from a branding perspective.
Williams, Sauber and even Mclaren could be targets for acquisition. Audi’s supervisory board is understood to have evaluated the option of acquiring Mclaren or taking a stake in it, and gone as far as making an initial offer, but this was rebuffed. Mclaren already has a number of shareholders including the US company MSP Sports Marketing, which is looking to expand its shareholding rather than sell out.