Audi and Porsche will keep their respective Formula 1 projects separate, according to Audi, despite their ownership affiliation.
Audi confirmed on Friday that it will enter Formula 1 as a power unit constructor from 2026, locating its programme in Germany.
It is expected to form an affiliation with Sauber Motorsport, eventually acquiring a majority share, with a decision anticipated before the end of 2022.
Alfa Romeo, which has had a commercial partnership with Sauber over branding since 2018, announced shortly after Audi’s press conference that it will sever its ties before the end of 2023.
Porsche, which is also owned by Volkswagen Group, is widely expected to partner with Red Bull Racing from 2026.
Speaking on Friday, Audi Chairman Markus Duesmann outlined that “you know, we raced Porsche in Le Mans, with completely separate operations, and in this case, we will have completely separate operations.
“We will have our operations in Germany and if Porsche enters they will have their operations in the UK – completely separate.
“You can imagine that [how to have the programmes] was a huge discussion.
“Both our brands have a lot of fans, and both our brands have their special character, and that’s why we decided to keep it completely separate and do two operations.”
Duesmann added that “the power train has to be designed especially for the chassis. That’s why we decided to split it, as we will have completely different chassis, so completely different power trains.”
Stop the protectionism by the likes of Mercedes and get Andretti in there as well, plus a couple of other new teams to get back to the twenty-six cars we used to see in the races, and combine that with a one country, one race rule, then we’ll be on course for a bright future of Formula One.