With the chaotic and eventful summer break coming to a close, F1 fans are all left looking forward to one thing, pure racing action! Well, if you thought the drama is over, think again. After months of speculation and rumours, Audi has announced that it will join Formula 1 starting in 2026. The Volkswagen Group brand believes it has got what it takes to compete for future championships.
The brand has announced that it will build a dedicated F1 powertrain at a facility in Neuburg, Germany, and will decide which team to partner with by the end of the 2022 season. Audi is believed to be in talks with Swiss-based Sauber group, who to the newer fans is known as Alfa Romeo these days.
Audi and Porsche have been trying to break into the sport for a while now but it seems what is truly making a difference for them this time around is the sport’s plan to inch closer and closer to synthetic fuel and electrification in an attempt to be carbon neutral by the end of the decade. 2026 is the year set for greater electrification and as of next season, power unit manufacturers will also be subject to a cost cap as well.
Additionally, the VW Group's supervisory board approved plans for both Audi and Porsche to potentially join the competition. While Audi is still undecided on who to partner with, Porsche is believed to have its heart set on partnering with current championship leaders Red Bull by 2026.
As fans, it's safe to say this will be a welcome change following the previous era of complete power unit dominance. So with that, we can now go on to enjoy the second half of this season which is likely to be packed with action and a lot to look forward to (unless you are a Ferrari fan).