(Motorsport news) Volkswagen Group’s Audi and Porsche are likely to join the ranks of Formula 1 engine manufacturers in 2026, subject to a final decision that is pending on the long term regulations of power units before the Turkish Grand Prix on October 10th. According to reports, the one condition both the brands have made to join Formula 1 is that the MGU-H element had to go and both Porsche and Audi attended the meeting at Red Bull Ring with F1 stakeholders regarding the future of the engines.

It is reported that Formula 1 engines from 2026 onwards will be a V6 and the basic turbo architecture will remain unchanged, but the electric power output will rise to 350 kilowatts. The aim is to make the engines simpler and more cost effective compared to the current ones with the MGU-H element to be dropped, which is usually used to recover and store turbocharger energy. 

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff welcomed the prospect of Audi and Porsche joining Formula 1 by saying “The MGU-H will be dropped if we can find alignment of many other points. I think it’s a compromise that – I can’t speak for anyone else – but at Mercedes, we are prepared to enter in order to facilitate the entry of the Volkswagen Group but there are several other topics where compromise needs to be found. If compromise cannot be found then we will probably revert to the governance and have 2026 regulations that the (governing) FIA and FOM (Formula One Management) are going to come up with.”

With 10 Formula 1 teams relying on engines from the likes of Mercedes, Ferrari, Honda and Renault, out of which Japanese manufacturer Honda is withdrawing from the sport at the end of 2022 and Red Bull taking over the IP, it has never been more important for more engine manufacturers to come into the sport.

Current champions Mercedes supply four teams with engines in the Formula 1 grid, Ferrari supply three teams, Renault to their Alpine branded teams and Honda to Red Bull and AlphaTauri. It’s likely that either Audi or Porsche would team up with Red Bull with their entry in 2026, as Red Bull has worked with the Volkswagen Group in the past, most notably in the World Rally Championship.

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