Volkswagen is pushing into Formula 1 – with two brands
Verstappen wins ahead of Hamilton in the US
Max Verstappen won the US Grand Prix and expanded his World Cup lead. The Dutch Red Bull driver won a wafer-thin ahead of record world champion Lewis Hamilton and celebrated his 18th Grand Prix success in the premier class.
After his victory in Austin, Max Verstappen is well on the way to becoming the first Formula 1 world champion from the Netherlands. Meanwhile, Volkswagen wants to get into Formula 1, probably as an engine supplier. Two brands are possible.
EFirst US victory, World Cup leadership expanded. Max Verstappen won the US Grand Prix in Austin (Texas) with a strong performance ahead of his competitor for the world title. Lewis Hamilton in the Mercedes only finished second.
Verstappen started from pole, but had to give up his lead right in the first corner. But a more courageous and ultimately victorious change strategy was the key to success. Hamilton lost his lead after the first trip into the pit lane and could not regain it. “The last few laps were fun,” said the Dutchman, commenting on his success. No wonder, because there he was able to keep his competitors at a narrow but never threatening distance and did not have to fend off an overtaking maneuver.
Before the race, Mercedes was actually the favorite. The car was recently significantly faster than the Red Bull, especially on the straights, who also had problems adjusting their cars profitably to the respective track situation. Surprisingly, things went differently in Texas, even if the first training sessions were good. With two podium places and team-mate Sergio Pérez came third, Red Bull was ahead by a nose. “It was a tough race. The start was good, I gave everything, ”said Hamilton. The Briton is the record winner in Austin, so he was correspondingly resigned after his second place.
Sebastian Vettel got the maximum out of the afternoon on the “Circuit of the Americas”. Due to an engine penalty, he started from 18th place, and after a few good overtaking maneuvers he still scored points. He was able to collect a total of six competitors in a direct duel on the track. Even if the premiere season at Aston Martin does not go as hoped for the four-time world champion, he can at least take something away from these small victories. Vettel on WELT demand: “Of course it’s fun to overtake and it’s not always easy. When it succeeds, it feels good. You also whip yourself in the car. “
New engine rules from 2026
The world championship fight is raging further ahead and is closer than it has been for a long time. The lead at the top of the drivers’ championship has already changed five times. Despite the exciting duel between Verstappen and Hamilton, the view behind the scenes of the racing circuit is directed towards the future. Formula 1 is currently putting the rules for the new engines in motion from 2026. And the German automobile group Volkswagen is pushing its way into the premier motorsport class with two brands: Porsche and Audi. However, probably only as an engine supplier and not as a works team – even if the Formula 1 management has the slightest hope that they might even be able to win them over as a works team.
In the context of previous races, Formula 1, Fia and engine suppliers (including VW) largely agreed on a new concept. It should be cheaper, easier to construct and less harmful to the environment. Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff (49) revealed before the US race in Austin: “The general concept is clear, we are already quite far in the discussions, but not quite there yet.” The concept apparently also met with approval in Wolfsburg.
Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff
Source: pa / Eibner-Presse / Eibner Pressefoto / Michael Memmle
Delivering engines for the world’s fastest racing series is prestigious – but also expensive. On the other hand, it hardly generates any profits. The new cost cap could change that. Wolff: “It’s great that big brands are interested in getting into Formula 1. And nobody wants to get into the situation of not being competitive. “
Audi cooperation with Williams or Red Bull?
Audi is associated with the English team Williams, which is currently being supplied by Mercedes. But that would not be the only option for the group. Red Bull and their junior team Alpha Tauri are also possible. They are using Honda engines this season and will be using self-developed drive units from 2022 when the Japanese get out. A cooperation would still be conceivable from 2026. Talks with the VW group were confirmed in the spring from Red Bull circles. The producer of sweet soda hardly wants to do without the know-how of a large corporation.
The return of the legendary McLaren Porsche combo, with which Niki Lauda († 2019) became world champion in 1984, would also be possible. The current German team boss Andreas Seidl has a Porsche past and successfully managed the car brand’s long-distance program. As team principal, he won the Le Mans 24 Hours three times with Porsche.
Whether VW will get involved is decided at the corporate headquarters in Wolfsburg – when Formula 1, Fia and manufacturers have fixed the rules for the new engine in the next few weeks. And what does it take to survive in Formula 1? “Everyone who wants to get into sport has to be aware that it takes time. And that’s what makes Formula 1 so special that it’s so hard to win, ”said Mercedes team boss Wolff.
That is always the case in top-class sport. “Formula 1 is the Champions League. And nobody can expect to get into the Champions League and reach the final in the first year and take the trophy home with them. “We also had problems at the beginning. This also applies to Renault and Honda. “
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