Will Porsche Pick Up Audi’s Formula 1 Reins?

Ongoing Porsche Formula1 saga may just take an exciting new turn with Zufferhausen allegedly ready to take over Audi’s plans.

Following the current Audi trend of culling everything motorsport, from the DTM and GT3, to its Formula E program, its stillborn LMDh prototype sports car racing project and even giving its wild Dakar project the bullet after January’s 2024 race, it now seems that the Four Rings’ Formula 1 project is also on the skids.

Audi has of course already started to buy into the Sauber F1 team, to establish its own team to run the new F1 power units it is building at a German facility. But all of that, and all those racing projects, were established on former Audi CEO Markus Duesmann’s watch. Now VW’s supersonic revolving office door as ushered in a new boss, Gernot Döllner.

And it seems Herr. Döllner may just have other ideas on racing. Rumors have flown that Audi will renege on its Formula 1 plans after all. Even if Ingolstadt’s propaganda machine was quick to try to pour cold water on it all. “The media coverage is a rumor and absolutely untrue,” a PR suit insisted this week. “Audi’s Formula 1 plan remains unchanged.”

Is Audi About to Ditch Formula 1?

“Audi’s Formula 1 entry in 2026 is based on a decision of the Board of Audi AG in alignment with the Supervisory Board of Audi AG. As well as the Supervisory Board of Volkswagen Group,” he went on, going on to confirm that Audi continues at pace with preparations and development of the new engine.

Based on previous such shallow denials that were closely followed by Toyota, Honda, Renault, and many other carmakers exiting F1 over the years, there however remains every probability that the spokesman’s bosses will just go over his head and cut the program. ‘Tis what bosses do.

But wait! What about Porsche? Porsche’s parallel plans on a grandiose return of course fell apart. After being jilted by Red Bull Racing at the Formula 1 altar. Horner, Marko & Co. ran off to get busy with Ford while Porsche was later snubbed by Williams. And then McLaren, and Aston Martin too . So Zufferhausen put its own F1 plans on ice.

Will Porsche Take Over Audi Formula 1 Plans?

Now with Audi seemingly on the cusp of writing its Formula 1 Dear Johnny letter, it appears that Porsche could very well pick up Audi’s Formula 1 Project in toto. Take over the engine project, standing in for its sister and eventually wed Sauber to run the show.

Stranger things have happened in Formula 1. This one not only seems to make a whole lot of sense, but it could be a godsend for all concerned.

Photos: Audi, Michele Lupini

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