Before World War II, the Silberpfeile of Auto Union and Mercedes almost invincible in GP racing. Mercedes, meanwhile, is once again celebrating, with eight consecutive F1 world titles with the Constructors. But soon Audi would also join the queen class of motorsport.
The Volkswagen group has been showing interest in a new F1 adventure for some time, but those plans never became concrete. But that would change in 2026, because Audi Sport beckons very explicitly to Formula 1. Not as an independent team, as Mercedes does. But as a motorcycle supplier. And that keeps the name of the McLaren team, which is currently working with Mercedes engines. Not unimportant: the British racing stable is currently led by the former boss of Porsche Motorsport, Andreas Seidl.
Or is it Porsche?
The VW group could not agree with the regulations of Formula 1. But Ingolstadt can agree with the recently concluded agreement that determines the engines for 2026. Markus Duesmann and Oliver Hoffmann, the top men of Audi and Audi Sport, are said to have informed both F1 and the FIA. It remains only to wait for an official confirmation. Attention: it is still possible that Porsche will also take the plunge in addition to Audi.
No, not yet 100% electric engines for Formula 1. Not even in 2026. However, that was what Audi initially aimed for, to establish the direct link between motorsport and the e-Tron range. They did that earlier in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, because the 24-hour race was used to successively promote the direct petrol injection (FSI), the turbo diesel (TDI) and the hybrid drive. And with success. They were also committed to Formula E for a while, but that world championship for electric single-seaters lacks the impact that Formula 1 does.
What will change in 2026?
What will change in Formula 1 engines? A hybrid V6 turbo engine with a displacement of 1.6 liters will still be driven, as is the case today. But from 2026, the complex MGU-H module, which generates energy from heat, will disappear. The MGU-K, which generates electricity via braking energy, will continue to exist and will become more important (the power of that module will increase from 160 to approximately 470 hp in 2026), making the electrical component in the hybrid powertrain more important.
And that was apparently enough for Audi Sport to tack. Efforts will also be made on so-called e-fuels, sustainable fuels in which the VW group also invests.
Sources: Autosport, Motorsport & Grand Prix Radio
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