It is being reported that Volkswagen could give the green light to Porsche and Audi to enter F1 as early as next week.

Reuters claims that sources report that the decision will be made at a meeting scheduled for next week.

"We will hopefully be able to communicate our intention to enter into Formula One then," said one source, while another added that is a "good chance" of a positive decision.

For as long as anyone can remember there has been talk linking both the Volkswagen owned brands entering F1 most probably partnership with an existing team.

Las year Audi and McLaren had to officially deny claims that the German manufacturer had bought the Woking outfit.

In January, Zak Brown confirmed that the Woking-based outfit had held exploratory talks with the board of the Volkswagen Group with a view to partnering with one of its entities, including Audi.

"They've spoken with a handful of people on the grid, and we had conversations," the American told reporters. "I am hearing they are going to do something with Red Bull on the Porsche front," he added.

"As you would imagine we have had conversations but in the short term and medium term we're very happy where we are," he insisted, referring to the partnership with Mercedes which is expected to run its course until 2026 and the new engine formula.

"So we are just going to wait and see are they going to come into the sport, because that's not been definitively decided. If they do, we have a contract through this term and naturally we're going to evaluate where we are and take a decision on what we do in 2026 in due course."

The latest speculation sees Audi offering £422m ($555m) for McLaren, while Porsche seeks to establish a partnership with Red Bull once the new engine formula is introduced in 2026.

Much of Volkswagen's decision has depended on F1's environmental intentions including the move to synthetic fuels by 2026 and the increasing electrification of the sport.

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by kenji, 05/04/2022 10:29

"The level of investment in both science and technology implemented by Porsche/ Siemens et al in the future fuels would be beyond reproach and the logistics would have been a major issue that has, for all intents and purposes, beeen calculated into the final equartion. as for the 'dirty' ships, yes, they'll be more difficult to find answers for but MAN [diesels ] are well along that pathway and are currently testing hydrogen powered marine propulsion systems, with positive results. I would be loathe to be dismissive until firstly one understands the process and the science and secondly the massive incentives to get this right from a commercial viewpoint. "

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2. Posted by Spindoctor, 05/04/2022 7:08

"Like "blue" hydrogen synthetic fuels are a device to try & stave off the inevitable demise of burning hydrocarbons. Like the Emperor's new clothes, they don't bear too much scrutiny.

The Chilean plant, specifically, is far-flung (in order to get the wind) & until I've seen the data, I suspect most of the "benefit" will be lost in transporting the fuel to where it's used using very dirty oil-fuelled ships. I'm pretty sure production scales easily enough, but there aren't that many locations where there is abundant energy to power the process.

Finally, of course there's the simple truth that it's vastly more efficient to use electricity (however generated) directly to power BEVs than it is to use it to produce synthetic fuel, to make dodgy "blue" hydrogen or the expensive "green" version. Porsche's initiative is mainly aimed at enabling owners of their currently petrol-fuelled cars to continue to use them (occasionally) and as such to be welcomed. As a "solution" to hydrocarbon pollution, not so much."

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3. Posted by PGS, 02/04/2022 9:17

"They're entering next week?!"

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4. Posted by kenji, 02/04/2022 0:24

"As a further item of interest the arrival of Porsche [ possibly ]will enhance the adoption of synthetic fuels. Porsche, along with Siemans and Esso are major contributors to the Haru Oni pilot plant in southern Chile. They expect to be able to produce 130,000 litres in a full year plus this plant is upwardly scaleable for the future. Using hydrogen obtained by hydrolysis it is blended with CO2 [ air capture ]to produce methanol to be further resolved into a sustainable bio fuel. The power for hydrolysis is wind generated. This year Porsche's Supercup cars are to be 100% powered with this biofuel and already teams are forecasting improved times...but not necessarily due to the fuel. Interesting times ahead."

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5. Posted by kenji, 01/04/2022 23:38

"This is issue appears to be moving towards a conclusion and if it does happen then F1 will be all the richer as a result. It would appear, prima facie, that the actual team numbers will not increase and if that is correct then there is still room for Andretti to join. That would also be another positive for the series. My biggest disappointment would be the timing as I would like to see them, Audi and Porsche, contibuting to the racing much earlier. IIRC Audi/Porsche actually created a V6 F1 engine ,sans MGUH, some time ago as an exercise in what might actually happen...one day in the future. The current PU has been in place now for almost 8 years so why wait another 4 years? To complete a dream sequence would be to add in another tyre supplier and then we'd see some competition that has been lacking for a very long time."

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6. Posted by autosteve, 01/04/2022 9:58

"Man. I'm so tired of this. They promise already for years to come on in.
First it was a decision in March and in April. Do they want to race or not?
I have a feeling that some bean counters are running this decision.
In the meantime we have Andretti Racing ready to come on in and F1 is holding back on this decision!"

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Volkswagen to give F1 the thumbs up?

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