The entry of Porsche and Audi would be a milestone for the future of Formula 1 - and at the same time a danger for the established. This is one of the reasons why the decision is still a long time coming. The racing series has long been interesting again, also for the German luxury brands.
Actually everything is clear. Formula 1 wants Porsche and Audi, absolutely. And the two German luxury brands? Have long since discarded their reticence. The premier class is playing "in a league with the Olympic Games or the World Cup," enthused Porsche boss Oliver Blume recently in an interview with the "Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung". Audi, too, has long since expressed its great interest in getting involved, and the "new" Formula 1 is suddenly quite attractive again.
But Formula 1 is also: A constant struggle for influence, privileges and money - and that's why patience is still required. This Wednesday, the regulations should actually be approved from 2026, the way would then have been clear for the German manufacturers. But the date cannot be kept, and Audi is no longer assuming it will be.
Negotiations went on for a long time, important details were at stake. Which investments fall under the budget cap? Who will be allowed to put how much money in their hands in the coming years? How often can the test bench and wind tunnel be used? "What advantages should a newcomer have?" Ferrari team boss Mattia Binotto summarized recently. The concerns of the incumbents about Ferrari and Mercedes: New manufacturers are coming into Formula 1, which is now cheaper - and driving under the nose of those who have been investing millions in their racing teams for years.
There are still three and a half years until the start of the 2026 season, actually a long time. In this, however, Formula 1 departments have to be set up, infrastructure created and, last but not least, high-performance drives designed. That's not a huge problem, says Audi, "of course every day counts, but at the moment it's still manageable." But even a few weeks make a difference, "therefore the conditions for a final decision should be available soon". One hopes for clear conditions in July.
How everything is supposed to work then seems clear, especially with a view to Porsche, with Red Bull the sports car giant should form a team. Audi, meanwhile, could buy into the traditional Sauber racing team, and both VW subsidiaries probably want to design completely independent power units.
A few years ago it did not seem improbable that Formula 1 would soon become obsolete, and fuel-guzzling motorsport seemed to have fallen out of favor. From 2026, however, half of the hybrid engine will be operated electrically, and the combustion engine will also run on sustainable fuel. So, as the manufacturers see it, the premier class is once again suitable as an advertising platform.
The range is right anyway. "Last year, more than 1.5 billion television viewers watched Formula 1," said Porsche CEO Blume. Everything is clear for the two manufacturers. Actually.
