Audi get ready to the debut in Formula 1 as a motorist, which will take place in 2026. There are 4 teams courting the prestigious German brand: Williams, Aston Martin, McLaren e Sauber. Already ad April, when there was still no official entry of Audi e Porsche in Formula 1, there was talk of a particularly interested team. The indiscretion had started from the German newspaper Car engine and sport.
According to the latest rumors – this time from a Swiss magazine View - the deal would be done and for the official signature it would not be missing much, since soon the FIA will formalize the regulation for the new power units. But returning to the choice of Audi: which of the 4 contenders would be the chosen team?
One has already said "no"
La McLaren has an agreement with Mercedes to use their engines only up to the 2025 season. The team has always remained open to new investments and technological partnerships and is one of the strongest independent companies around. The partnership with Audi would have been a logical and attractive prospect. However the CEO of McLaren, Zak BrownOn the occasion of Miami Grand Prix admitted he had discussions about a potential partnership, but that McLaren had definitely ruled out selling the team. Audi would in fact have requested the majority of the actions and the McLaren, with these conditions, she would call herself out.
Three remain
The competition would therefore be between Williams, Aston Martin e Sauber. Second Frederic Vasseur, CEO of Hinwil, as well as Team Principal of the team Alfa Romeo, the favorite would be an English team: “La Williams is the favourite. They have very good relations with Volkswagen and Germany".
The agreement is already done
However, the name chosen, and reported by the newspapers that launched the indiscretion, would be precisely that of Sauber. The header View it also reports the words of a team principal, whose name is not mentioned, who would confirm the agreement with the German manufacturer: “I don't understand why Sauber and Audi are still hiding their partnership. Audi has long since secured 25% of shares, and one will come further 50% . These are very large sums of money!".
It would seem that the official status is missing, as well as for theRed Bull – Porsche agreement which should be announced on 10th July in the home race, in Austria.
Source: Formula Passion