German carmakers Porsche and Audi were hoping to confirm their entry into Formula 1 around this year’s Austrian Grand Prix (July 8-10), once the World Motor Sport Council took a vote. on June 29 on the new regulation.
However, amid indications that the final adjustments to the regulatory framework have not yet taken place, there is a possibility that this deadline will pass and that will force Porsche and Audi to delay any announcement they want to make.
Although there has been no official confirmation on when the regulations will be set, Mercedes boss Toto Wolff understands why things may not be ready in just a few weeks.
But, with time running out to have the new power units ready for 2026, the head of the German team does not want things to take longer than the end of this year.
“We are very keen to get the regulations through because we want to continue our work,” he said when asked by Motorsport.com about suggestions for a delay from the original June plan. “But it also needs to be done the right way. And I have an interest in the FIA getting it right.”
“I think it’s not easy, with all the entrants and new power unit suppliers, to get to a point where we have detailed regulations that are ready to be signed.”
“I hope it doesn’t take too long and that we can do it during the summer so that we have the engine regulations in place in the autumn. I hope that in September we will know what the regulations are like. If everyone works in the same direction, it would be good.”
But while Wolff anticipates the possibility of a delay, Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto , who sits on the World Motor Sport Council, believes the situation could eventually stick to the original schedule.
“I’m not sure it will be delayed,” explained the Swiss. “At the moment we have not received any information about the fact that the vote will be delayed.”
“There is a council at the end of June, and there will be an F1 Commission in Austria. So we are going to go step by step.”
Porsche is expected to join Red Bull in forming a partnership, while Audi will most likely strike a deal to enter with Sauber, which currently races under the Alfa Romeo name.
