Audi & Porsche Expected to Enter F1 with Rumored McLaren Takeover
If Audi buys McLaren, and Porsche supplies engines to Red Bull, the 2026 F1 season is going to be epic!
Rumors of a McLaren takeover by Audi started last year. Both companies quickly denied the rumors which led to more speculation on McLaren’s future. This week the rumors flared up again amid news that Audi plans supply engines to McLaren’s F1 team. If true, Audi appears set to purchase a controlling interest in McLaren’s F1 team.
Not to be outdone by Audi, Porsche also appears set to enter F1 as a powertrain supplier. They expect to provide engines to Red Bull Racing, once Honda’s agreement ends in 2026. Should those talks fall through, Porsche plans to work with Alpha Tauri or Haas.
Since Audi and Porsche are part of VW, they would share development costs and collaborate on R&D. Both companies wanted to deliver a 2.0 liter four-cylinder hybrid powertrain for 2026. However, Ferrari insisted on the 1.6 liter six-cylinder turbo as a condition for their continued participation in F1. The FIA ruled in Ferrari’s favor due to the popularity of the team. Ferrari brings a large fan base and marketing clout to F1. Without them, F1 faces a significant drop in both viewership and revenue.
Bringing Audi and Porsche into the F1 fold provides a benefit to all parties. Both manufacturers successfully competed at the highest levels of motorsport and include a large following. Porsche dominated racing in the second half of the 20th century. They also won two F1 constructors championships with McLaren in 1984 and 1985.
More recently, Audi dominated Le Mans and competed in Formula E. Additionally, both companies have extensive experience with turbocharging and hybrid powertrains. That experience, combined with the resources of their VW parent company, make them a formidable presence.
In addition to acquiring the F1 team, Audi could be exploring the option to buy a controlling interest in all of McLaren’s automotive enterprises. Last year, Mumtalakat Holding Company, McLaren’s largest stakeholder, expressed interest in selling their portion of the automaker.
Both Audi and Mumtalakat recently engaged in preliminary talks. But a deal, estimated to be worth around $1.3 billion, has yet to materialize.
Acquiring McLaren’s brand, racing and automotive ventures would be extremely valuable to Audi. In addition to their cars and racing programs, Audi gains access to McLaren’s engineering team. Additionally, Audi could further scale the development of new powertrains and chassis designs across more platforms, lowering development costs.
This model worked for Bugatti, Lamborghini, Porsche, and Rimac. Each company maintained its identity while sharing components and development cost. A similar arrangement for McLaren makes too much sense.
Acquiring McLaren also prevents a take over by a rival company. Like Audi, BMW may be interested in McLaren for the same reasons, and they share a common history. During the 1990’s McLaren developed their F1 supercar. Lacking an engine, they turned to BMW which provided a specially tuned version of their M70 V12. The result speaks for itself.
In fact, the results were so good, you have to wonder why the partnership didn’t continue. Another BMW powered McLaren would not only be a worthy successor to the F1, but to BMW’s own M1 supercar as well.
BMW reportedly spoke with McLaren’s investors in December. However, nothing substantial resulted from those discussions. Audi appears closer to finalizing a deal. But it’s all speculation until the ink dries on the final page of the agreement.
Photos: McLaren and F1
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