Audi says that its Formula 1 power unit programme will be entirely exclusive from Porsche’s, if its fellow Volkswagen Group brand also joins the world championship.
This morning Audi formally confirmed it will enter F1 for the first time in 2026 as a power unit manufacturer. It intends to partner with an existing chassis constructor, rather than enter as a brand new team.
Although Porsche and Audi share the same owners in Volkswagen Group, Audi’s chairman Markus Duesmann said that the two brands would not pool resources if they both enter F1 for 2026.
“We raced Porsche in Le Mans with completely separate operations,” said Duesmann. “And in this case as well, we will have completely separate operations. We will have our operations in Germany and, if Porsche enters, they will have their operations in the UK – completely separate.”
Duesmann explained that the plan to enter both brands into F1 reflected how both Audi and Porsche have their own distinct identities and fanbases. “Both our brands have a lot of fans and both our brands have said their special character – and that’s why we decided to keep it completely separate and do two operations,” he said.
The separation of Audi and Porsche’s power unit programmes also had logistical considerations, Duesmann explained.
“We had several reasons. We will have several different teams. The powertrain has to be designed especially for the chassis and that’s why we decided to split it, because we will have completely different chassis and so completely different powertrains,” he said.
Audi’s board member for management of technical development, Oliver Hoffman, said that splitting both programmes was in order to “meet the timetable” of preparing for entry into F1.
“The integration work of the electrified side on the powertrain, together with the chassis, it costs time to make it in two cars,” Hoffmann said. “So it’s completely different operations and the integration work we will do by ourselves.”
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