Audi makes F1 decision after crunch FIA meeting

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."