FIA delays disrupt plans for Porsche and Audi to enter F1; Honda and another brand are interested

Audi  and Porsche get nervous . The two German brands of the VAG group had already established a very clear plan to enter Formula 1, but the delays of the FIA ​​sow doubt in the environment of Audi and Porsche. This is  how AMuS explains it , a German media very close to the two companies.

The FIA ​​has delayed the approval of  its new engine technical regulations , which was scheduled for next week. Audi and Porsche will therefore not be able to announce their entry into Formula 1  on the  dates they had planned, a move which did not please them at all and which worries them for the future.

 

Porsche will not be able to announce its partnership with Red Bull in Austria

Audi and Porsche have always been clear that they will not make their entry into Formula 1 official until the  FIA ​​publishes new engine regulations  , to cover their backs. The FIA ​​World Council, where the new engines would be approved, was due to take place on June 29, but was delayed for no apparent reason.

A change of course that the Germans understand as a lack of professionalism after years of negotiation. Porsche was due to announce its engine deal with Red Bull  at the Austrian Grand Prix, which takes place at the Red Bull Ring. It would have been a great party for energy drinks, but now it will have to be delayed.

Although  the entry of Audi and Porsche will not take place before 2026  , the two brands want to confirm their presence now to start assembling their teams and focus on the construction of the engines, which they also assure will be different, although they are two brands in the same group, Volkswagen. It will be necessary to wait.

Porsche and Audi are convinced that the procrastination of the FIA ​​will not last long and that they will be able to announce the entry into Formula 1 before the summer break,  between the races in France and Hungary . Everything will depend on whether the FIA ​​World Council can finally be held in Paris during the first half of July, as the new plan seems to dictate.

While Porsche seems to have its destiny assured as engine supplier to the Red Bull team,  for Audi there are still some dark clouds on the horizon  . They want to enter Formula 1 with their own team, but not from scratch, but by buying a structure already present in the world championship.

They tried it  with McLaren  but without success. Much has been said about  Williams  and even  Aston Martin , but for now it seems very likely  that Audi will buy Sauber's place  to make the current Alfa Romeo their team. They would thus do what  Andretti did not do . Although this is all for 2026.

Honda wants to return to Formula 1 in the heat of Verstappen's success

Since the announcement of the entry into force of the new engine regulations for 2026, there will be a fifteen-day deadline for motorists to register in Formula 1.  Ferrari, Renault, Mercedes, Audi and Porsche are available , but there could be two unexpected surprises. The first is an old acquaintance: Honda.

Honda, whose engines are still on the grid for  Red Bull and Alpha Tauri cars, are said to have already regretted their decision to leave Formula 1. In fact, they would like their name to appear on Red Bull again next season, in order to to be part of the successes of a Max Verstappen who wins with his engine, but without his name.

Looking ahead to 2026,  Honda's idea would be to get involved again in Formula 1 by  manufacturing engines. The problem is that Red Bull would already be committed to Porsche, but the option for the Japanese brand to stay with Alpha Tauri and make it its own team, even manufacturing the chassis, seems strong.

Additionally, rumors suggest there will be  a seventh motorist set to enter Formula 1  from 2026 in the heat of new technical regulations. For the moment no name has emerged, it is a real mystery what this brand could be that would definitely revive interest in Formula 1.