Porsche, Audi joining F1 would be ‘great for the sport’ – Ferrari

[Steve Q]

Ferrari Team Principal Mattia Binotto says it would be beneficial for Formula 1 if Porsche and Audi joined the sport. 

 

Both manufacturers, which are part of the Volkswagen Group, are poised to enter F1 from 2026, when new engine regulations are set to be introduced.

However, it is set to wait until the regulations are finalised to make a decision over a potential entry.

Binotto hailed the interest, stating having more major brands to compete against is “great” for F1. 

“I think we are very happy for Porsche and Audi to join F1,” he said. “It’s great for the sport and it’s great for F1.  

"It’s great for us to compete with such brands. Overall, it’s good news in which we have to be very happy with. 

“On the regulations themselves, we know that the objective is to try and finalise them by June and get them voted by June. It’s not something new. 

“All the discussions we had at the time that we are still having right now, are still considering the fact that Audi and Porsche could have joined. 

“It’s not something new in that respect and there are no new discussions relative to that.” 

However, ahead of the June vote, Binotto says that there are a number of matters that need to be clarified regarding newcomers and Intellectual Property.

“There are still open points overall. There are open points which are on financial regulations,” he said.

“They have to finalised and re-formulise and in the financial regulations, we know that framework we have been working since last December with the World Council there is all the matters to considering what is a newcomer? 

"How do we define a newcomer? What is the benefits of a newcomer? All that needs to be clarified and defined. 

“On top of that, there’s all the IP transfer because IP transfer should not be possible – that was agreed on how we translate that into wording is difficult to know.

“There are points on the technical [side] which are open discussions so there are many things that need to be moved forward and finalised so from now until June, time is certainly short so we need to work on it as a high priority.” 

https://www.motorsportweek.com/2022/04/17/porsche-audi-joining-f1-would-be-great-for-the-sport-ferrari/