According to insiders, Volkswagen will probably decide to enter the Formula 1 racing circuit next week after a long internal struggle. According to information from manager magazin, next Thursday the supervisory board will discuss whether Porsche and Audi will join Formula 1 in 2026. It is considered likely that the board will agree to this plan, according to sources on the Supervisory Board. However, no final decision has been made yet. Rather, this depends on rule changes by the umbrella organization FIA. In addition, no final decisions have been made on the part of the possible partner teams from Porsche and Audi.
The Reuters news agency and the Business Insider website also received similar information. Volkswagen declined comment, as did the two group brands. A few months ago, manager magazin reported extensively on the plans of the two Volkswagen subsidiaries to enter Formula 1 .
According to group insiders, the group executive board and the supervisory boards of Porsche and Audi had already discussed it with “goodwill”. According to an insider, the Ingolstadt-based VW subsidiary wants the takeover of McLaren to cost half a billion euros, reports Reuters. Porsche wants to enter into a long-term partnership with Red Bull.
Most recently, at the presentation of the balance sheet almost two weeks ago, Porsche boss Oliver Blume (53) answered journalists’ questions that the sports car manufacturer was examining a Formula 1 entry. There is obviously still a need for advice because the Ukraine war is the dominant topic. The decision also falls in the middle of preparations for an IPO for Porsche , which Volkswagen is aiming for at the end of the year. However, Formula 1 is a long-term commitment that will not begin for a few years.
The world motorsport association FIA paved the way for this in December with the new set of rules for more environmentally friendly drives from 2026. The insider said that Porsche wants to enter into an exclusive ten-year partnership with Red Bull from world champion Max Verstappen (24) and is planning a “clear three-digit million amount” for this. Audi wants to take over the British luxury sports car manufacturer McLaren, to which the racing team of the same name belongs, for 500 million euros. About 70 million euros would also be due for the commitment. A declaration of intent has already been submitted to McLaren. The British sports car manufacturer could not initially be reached for comment.
At the top of the agenda for Volkswagen’s supervisory board next Thursday are deliberations on the effects of the Ukraine war. The body should be brought up to date on the supply of energy, raw materials and vendor parts, said two of the insiders.