Report: Volkswagen Group Bidding for Red Bull & McLaren F1 Partnership Through Audi-Porsche

There is a lot of talk of whether or not the Volkswagen group, through Audi and Porsche, will join F1 or not. Many would assume that they would form their own teams, but reports suggest that they could provide engines to McLaren and Red Bull and join the F1 grid in 2026.

Additionally, it is being speculated that Audi could take over the Woking-based outfit as they are reportedly in financial trouble. Nevertheless, it all depends on the Volkswagen group if they would like to be a part of the pinnacle of motorsport.

Audi and Porsche could link with McLaren and Red Bull by 2026

According to CAR, the Volkswagen group is contemplating whether they would like to be a part of Formula One. The latest reports suggest that they could be looking to set a partnership with F1 teams to be their powertrains supplier.

The report states that Audi will be looking to supply engines to the Woking-based outfit. But that’s not all, the group could also be looking to take over McLaren and reportedly held talks with Mumtalakat (a huge stakeholder in McLaren). In case the deal to supply McLaren with power units doesn’t work out, they are reportedly going to make a deal with Williams.

Elsewhere, Porsche is having talks with Red Bull to supply them with engines in 2026. In case both parties don’t agree, Porsche could make a deal with Red Bull’s sister team, AlphaTauri. As of now, the Milton Keynes-based outfit will be making their own power units as Honda has parted ways with them at the end of the 2021 season.

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Who is currently the engine supplier to McLaren and Red Bull?

From the 2018 season to the 2020 season, McLaren had worked with Renault as their engine supplier. However, at the start of the 2021 season, the Zak Brown-led team decided to cut ties with the French team and partner up with Mercedes to be their power unit supplier.

On the other hand, Red Bull had worked with Japanese engine manufacturer Honda since 2019. But, during the 2021 season, Honda decided they would leave at the end of the year. The decision caused a lot of panic within the Milton Keynes-based outfit, but they soon came up with a plan and decided to make their own engines for the upcoming season.

With the 2022 season just a few months away, what are your predictions for the upcoming season of Formula One? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section down below.

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