VW close to approve F1 deals for McLaren & Red Bull
Apr.7 - Formula 1 is now tantalisingly close to officially welcoming Volkswagen - the world's second largest carmaker - to the grid for 2026.
While F1 congregates in Melbourne, the German giant's supervisory board is meeting back in Europe on Thursday where it is expected that Audi and Porsche will get the green light for two separate Formula 1 forays.
One will be with McLaren in a reported EUR 650 million deal, while Porsche is expected to sign up as Red Bull's works engine partner.
"However, nothing is to be announced after the meeting," Sky Deutschland reports, "since the negotiation process will probably last until the summer."
But the April 7 board meeting will almost certainly be confirmation of VW's approval for the deals, pending formalisation of significantly new engines rules in F1 for 2026.
"We've heard that the two projects have already been completed internally," former F1 driver Marc Surer told Sport1.
"Now the group just has to say 'Yes, you can do it'. This is about the long-term planning of the group."
Former Mercedes F1 chief Norbert Haug commented: "VW has recognised what kind of marketing tool Formula 1 is."
Surer agrees: "These are two brands that have to go racing. And they've chosen good partners.
"When I think that Andreas Seidl is already team boss at McLaren with his German connections, I just have to smile. And Red Bull and Porsche are also very close. It just fits."
Some rumours suggest Audi alone is prepared to spend a billion euros on the new F1 project.
"The presence and reach of Formula 1 through advertising is almost priceless," Surer said. "That's why it makes sense."
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Its a no brainer marketing wise, as i've been saying for a while, sell mcl road cars with audi hp engines, and a dream deal redbull and porsche marketing together....the vulture capitalists earn a quick profit on the deal, and jobs secure Win Win
good points shroppy i think mclaren needs this
still i would've liked to see 12 teams in f1 but that doesnt seem likely
i'd also like to see an engine supplier who doesn't have a works team which would give independent teams a chance at success but that won't happen either
well thankyou wc ( no pun intended) lol, trouble is and recent history tells us it doesn't always end well, when engine suppliers get greedy, except maybe for Brawn, but Honda buying BAR, BMW buying Sauber,Ford buying Stewart f1 and i'm sure there's a few other examples, i agree though it can work well, just having a works engine for eg, Williams Honda/Renault and Mcl with Honda and Merc and others i'm sure
12 teams , i'm all for that, maybe Andretti will come on board
Bring on Sunday with the RB sl, now its been on a diet
not sure it was greed those manufacturers failed - more incompetence
why honda pulled out when they already spent the $ developing a championship winning car i'll never know - they know how to make engines though
really displeased with how andretti's being treated - this is a professional racing outfit - not rich energy
even if they failed - it's their money to waste, give them a shot
it's all politics
agree with the red bull prediction - i hope ferrari don't fall off like they're prone to do because it could turn into a boring season with max winning with 6 races to go