F1: Volkswagen is entering F1 and it’s a feather in Liberty Media’s hat
Volkswagen In Final Stages of F1 Planning
It’s confirmed that Volkswagen has plans to enter Audi and Porsche into F1 in 2026. While they’ve yet to announce all the details, the planning is in advanced stages.
Audi and Porsche will be on separate F1 teams, and they’re considering sponsors. The whole deal hinges on the new F1 regulations taking place in 2026.
The landing of Volkswagen is a real feather in Liberty Media’s hat. Even Bernie Ecclestone tried to land VW, but couldn’t. Now the American’s take over and boom, it’s done.
Landing Porsche and Audi shows real promise for attracting new fans to F1 – a sport that is already booming and burying competitors like IndyCar which has tried for 13+ years to attract a third manufacturer and can’t, and if they ever do, certainly not ones as important as iconic brands Porsche and Audi.
Plans for Audi and Porsche to join Formula 1 have been approved, Volkswagen CEO Herbert Diess said following the board of directors’ decision on Monday.
Joining F1 will generate more money than it will cost, as Porsche and Audi are two of Volkswagen’s most important revenue streams, according to Diess.
Currently, the popular motorsport draws in 445 million unique viewers (and 1.5 billion cumulative viewers) per year globally.
Globally, F1’s average total audience per race in 2021 reached 70.3 million viewers.
The news has the current manufacturers excited, yet with a few reservations.
It’s still unclear what all the new regulations for 2026 will be, but they must align with Volkswagen’s sustainable goals. The company hopes to be carbon-neutral by 2050 – so its involvement in F1 racing must be sustainable. F1 is also aiming for carbon neutrality, and its new engine rules include requiring all power units to run on sustainable fuel. Read on to learn more about the state of Volkswagen entering F1 racing in 2026.
New Changes in Regulations and Technical Specifications for F1 in 2026
The World Motor Sport Council is getting rid of MGU-H, or Motor Generator Unit – Heat, for all F1 engines in 2026, something VW demanded before it would commit.
There’s also a trend toward more sustainable practices, such as renewable fuel and using an octane booster. That move caught the attention of Volkswagen, who had not yet taken part in F1 racing. Soon after, they announced plans to enter Porsche and Audi into F1 after the new regulations kick in.
In March, Audi was reportedly ready to offer around $556.3 million to buy a stake in McLaren’s F1 unit, per Reuters. A month later, the German luxury car brand reportedly raised its offer to $718 million, according to Germany’s Automobilwoche.
Volkswagen Rivals Want More Information
The news both excited and worried F1 rivals Ferrari and Mercedes Benz. They expressed excitement that the addition of Volkswagen would attract more attention to the sport. Yet, there are also some concerns with the announcement. In particular, VW’s rivals want solidified information instead of speculation. They have concerns over what constitutes a new entrant into F1.
Since Porsche and Audi will be on separate teams, there are concerns that they might share R&D resources. That would provide an unfair advantage to both parties, which is causing some uncertainty. There are also fears that the Porsche project could claim newcomer status but have roots in the Honda power unit via the Red Bull team. VW’s rivals will likely have to wait until June, when the new regulations get finalized for a clear answer.
Speculation Over Teams and Sponsors
There’s also a lot of buzz happening over which teams Porsche and Audi will join. Currently, Porsche is pursuing a partnership with Red Bull Racing.
Outside of F1, Porsche and Red Bull already have an existing relationship. Red Bull also has a Powertrains Division focused on the new 2026 changes – making them an ideal match for each other.
It’s less clear which direction Audi will take. At first, many thought they were seeking to close a deal with McLaren’s racing team. Yet, both parties have since denied these reports. According to Auto Motor and Sport, Sauber, Williams, and Aston Martin are now the front-runners.
Despite all the uncertainty, it’s now certain that VW will enter F1 racing in 2026. What remains to be seen is which teams they officially announce.