Could Audi and Porsche be Joining Formula 1?

Audi has had a very successful motorsport career, with long stretches of dominance in World Rally Championship (WRC) and World Endurance Championship (WEC) racing, as well as at Pikes Peak, in Touring Car racing, and even in Formula E. However, it’s never raced in Formula 1. That might be changing, though, as both Audi and Porsche executives will be joining the FIA team meeting on July 3 to discuss future engines for the sport.

At the moment, the powertrains used in Formula 1 are 1.6 liter V6 hybrid powertrains. While the engine configuration is likely to remain, the FIA will probably try and get an increase in battery capacity, for more efficiency and better energy recuperation. It’s said that the FIA also wants more standardized parts, to keep costs down.

On July 3, heads of all the major F1 teams will meet to discuss future engine plans. Teams like Mercedes-AMG, Ferrari, Red Bull, Renault, and even the CEO of Formula 1, Stefano Domenicali, will be in attendance. As will the CEOs of both Audi and Porsche, with Markus Duesemann and Oliver Blume attending, respectively.

The Volkswagen Group has been teasing an entry into F1 for a few years now and changing engine regulations could be the thing that finally pushes VW over the edge, into the waters of Formula 1. If the VW Group is to enter, it only makes sense that Audi and Porsche would be the brands to join. They’ve been competing in WEC for years, so it would be a natural extension of that existing intra-VW competition.

Though, it’s possible that Audi and Porsche might just become engine suppliers, potentially in a joint partnership. With some brands, such as Red Bull, looking for an engine supplier, it might make more sense for Audi, Porsche, or both to supply new powertrains for an F1 team, especially now that both brands want to show off their electrified tech.

What I’m really hoping for, though, is for Audi and Porsche to actually enter Formula 1 with their own cars. Audi has been successful in so many different motorsports but not F1, so it would be kick-ass to see the four rings competing in the most intense motorsport in the world.

[Source: GPBlog]