Last Tuesday, the FIA World Motor Sport Council approved the new engine regulations for 2026. Formula 1 will continue with the V6 power unit, but opt for a simplified version. Electric power will increase significantly, allowing the engines to produce more than 1,000 hp, and the MGU-H will be gone .
After this announcement, Porsche ‘s entry into F1 seems practically done. Almost all reports suggest that the German brand will join Red Bull as a motorcyclist from 2026. The sports car manufacturer acknowledged before the German sports press agency SID that its possible arrival at the Great Circus would be announced “in due time “.
Another great Volkswagen Group brand that has been linked to Formula 1 for a long time is Audi . Apparently, this brand has in mind to buy the current Sauber team (today managing under the name of Alfa Romeo), so it would be incorporated into the highest category as an integral team from 2026.
Of course, the confirmation of the new engine regulations has not gone unnoticed by Audi either, but the bosses in Ingolstadt still want to take their time to review everything in detail.
“The announced regulations are now being studied in detail,” an Audi spokesman told SID . “We should not expect a decision in the near future. The new regulations were approved during the summer holidays and some decision-makers, including management, are not present as they are on vacation.”
Potential entrants have fifteen days after confirmation from the FIA World Motor Sport Council to commit to F1. However, Audi does not feel pressured by this: “As far as we understand, the registration process of the engine manufacturers has not even started,” explained the spokesman for the brand with the four rings.
Formula 1 had been discussing the possible entry of both brands for months, knowing that one of the main requirements for their arrival was the simplification of the current V6 power units. With confirmation earlier this week, the road definitely seems to have cleared for Red Bull-Porsche . Will Audi join too?
