11/04/2025 16:55
Audi says it remains "fully committed" to entering Formula 1 in
2026 after a crunch meeting with the FIA and other power unit
manufacturers in Bahrain. FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem
called a meeting in Sakhir between F1's governing body and the
power unit manufacturers after speculation that F1 could abandon
the 2026 engine regulations in favour of a return to V10 engines,
with sustainable fuels. That proposal was ultimately rejected with
Audi, Honda, and Mercedes voting against, with only one of the five
2026 manufacturers, including Red Bull Powertrains and Ferrari,
needing to block to see the idea fail. General Motors is entering
its own power unit in 2028. At the meeting, including the likes of
Honda Racing president Koji Watanabe and Audi chief Gernot Dollner,
the FIA committed to the 2026 regulations as written, but kept the
door open for future "naturally-aspirated" engines. Should the
plans to abandon the 2026 engines, or at least delay them, Audi
would not have had a power unit available for 2026 having not
developed a 2025-spec unit. This would have meant it revert to
customer status or delay its own entry, which was announced at the
2022 Belgian Grand Prix. In a statement, the Ingolstadt-concern
reaffirmed its commitment to F1 in 2026. "We thank the FIA, in
particular Mohammed Ben Sulayem, for having organised this
important meeting in which we have engaged in constructive
discussions with all relevant parties," it read. "Our aim is to
help shape a sustainable and future-oriented form of motorsport
that leverages cutting-edge technologies—benefiting not only
Formula 1 but also Audi's broader technological development which
we see reflected in the 2026 power unit regulations. "Audi remains
fully committed to entering Formula 1 from 2026 onwards, with power
unit technology built around three key pillars: highly efficient
engines, advanced hybrid electrification, and the use of
sustainable fuels."
