The green light for a Formula 1 entry from Audi and Porsche also delighted Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen in Melbourne. “It is great that we get new manufacturers in sports, especially because there are many teams who have the potential to be top teams,” said record world champion Hamilton, welcoming the two Volkswagen company daughters.

Verstappen: “It is very exciting”

“It is very exciting and also very important for Formula 1,” said the current Champion Verstappen on Friday, for which Porsche could play a very important role in the future. “Of course we already have ten great teams, but it is also nice to have really big brands in your back.”

Audi and Porsche took a crucial hurdle on the way to the premier class of motorsport on Thursday. In its meeting, the Volkswagen supervisory board confirmed “Planning of the two group brands for a possible entry into Formula 1”.

Translated freely, this means that the head of the family gives the two daughters the blessing when choosing a partner. Whether dates also become fixed relationships is just the attractive offspring.

“Finale phase”

As Audi announced, one now has “fundamentally to get into the premier class of motorsport in 2026 in order to demonstrate” ahead of technology “. However, a decision for an introduction has not yet been made, you are “in the final phase of the evaluation”.

future regulations is crucial

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The VW concert daughters Audi and Porsche have been associated with a Formula 1 entry for months. Delegations were also involved in preliminary talks about the future regulations. And these technological guidelines are crucial for starting.

100 percent of sustainable fuel

Formula 1 meets interested manufacturers with a standard 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 service, the rest is electrical. That fits the future alignment of the car industry.

In addition, one has agreed on an end to the expensive and complex engine component MGU-H, which gains energy from the exhaust gas heat of the engine. The Automobil World Association FIA published a blueprint in December 2021.

This drive formula is to be adopted in summer – but it could only be autumn. Only then would Audi and Porsche say yes to the long -distance relationship in four years.

commitment more predictable

Formula 1 is an attractive playground for manufacturers – also because it wants to position itself more and more sustainably. The tightened budget border, which has decreased to $ 140 million this year, makes the commitment financially predictable. Ferrari and Mercedes even work profitably in the former monetary destruction roundabout.

takes over Audi ex-world champion McLaren?

Who should be the chosen ones for the VW subsidiaries? Audi is associated with a takeover of the McLaren sports car brand, which is also represented in Formula 1 with Mercedes as an engine partner. The British are a top candidate solely because of the rich past with former world champions such as Niki Lauda, Alain Prost, Ayrton Senna and Lewis Hamilton.

“Auto, Motor und Sport” called another, far less dazzling alternative in the Swiss clean team, if there should be no deal for financial reasons. Clean is adaptable. From 2006 to 2009 BMW gave the tone in the team, now the racing team is called Alfa Romeo. Sebastian Vettel’s Aston-Martin team at Audi is said to have also asked for a collaboration.

And Porsche? A partnership between the sports car builder and Red Bull for the current world champion Verstappen is considered an ideal solution. There have long been contacts, both brands would probably also go well together from the image. The fact that Verstappen has a contract by the end of 2028 also means planning security.

It is also speculated at a time when the partnership could announce. The Red Bull home game in Spielberg on the second weekend in July is mentioned. But also away from the asphalt: until then a lot can happen.