'Audi close to partnering with Red Bull, McLaren linked to Porsche'

Bild talked about a cooperation between Audi-Williams and Porsche-McLaren, but according to the latest rumours from the circuit Audi wants to cooperate with Red Bull Racing. The intention is that in November during the meeting of the supervisory board in Wolfsburg the knot will be cut.

Decision Volkswagen in November

F1 Insider writes on its website: 'Insiders expect that the relevant decision-makers will then receive the green light for a participation in the premier league from 2026.' The Volkswagen Group would like to develop an engine for both brands, including in collaboration with Red Bull Powertrains.

The signatures have logically not yet been put on the deal, but everything is looking very positive at the moment. What Red Bull and McLaren do care about, however, is that they remain as independent as they are now. Both Formula 1 teams do not necessarily need the help of Audi and Porsche respectively. Red Bull can fall back on its own Powertrains project, while McLaren could intensify its cooperation with Mercedes.

Audi already working on F1?

The new Formula 1 engine regulations will only come into force from 2026 onwards, but behind the scenes Audi is reportedly already busy with the preparations. Audi boss Markus Duesmann is said to have hired former BMW engineer Adam Baker with the job title of 'executive for special tasks'.

That Red Bull is being linked to Audi is not surprising, as the two parties already seemed to be working together in 2015, but then the diesel scandal prevented an F1 partnership from happening. McLaren already has a connection with Porsche in the person of Andreas Seidl. The team boss knows Duesmann and Baker very well from his time at BMW and he also won the 24 Hours of Le Mans with Porsche as project manager.