Markus Duesmann, the CEO of Audi, is a racing fan.
A few years ago, during his time at BMW and Mercedes, he was responsible for technology in the respective Formula 1 teams of the two car manufacturers.
A good decade later, he is now aiming to enter the most important international racing series with Audi and is negotiating with the British Formula 1 team McLaren.
Audi has already submitted a purchase offer to McLaren boss Paul Walsh, reported the British magazine Autocar on Monday.
The McLaren owner Mumtalakat, the state fund of Bahrain, had rejected an initial offer, but in the meantime both sides have come to an agreement.
Henning Peitsmeier
Business correspondent in Munich.
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Philip Plickert
Business correspondent based in London.
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But even in Formula 1 it doesn't happen that fast.
In any case, an Audi spokesman denied an agreement with McLaren to the FAZ, but reiterated the Volkswagen subsidiary's interest in Formula 1: "As part of our strategic considerations, we are continuously evaluating various cooperation ideas."
Entry not before 2026
From the environment of the VW group it can be heard that the Formula 1 plans are not limited to Audi, but also concern Porsche. For example, the VW sports car brand could return to the premier class in cooperation with Red Bull to take on the teams from Mercedes, Ferrari & Co. According to Porsche boss Oliver Blume, initial talks are being held. And as in the case of his colleague Duesmann, for Blume it is not about joining before the year 2026. By then, those responsible for Formula 1 should have agreed on new framework conditions.
For Blume and Duesmann, the key technical data of the new Formula 1 engine are therefore decisive: half of the engine output should come from an electric unit and the next-generation combustion engines should run on synthetic gasoline. With a fuel that binds exactly as much CO2 as is released when it is burned, the VW brands could also use Formula 1 for advertising purposes without revealing their environmental promises - such as the announced ban on sales of gasoline and diesel engines It is said in corporate circles.
Formula 1 is working feverishly on new, more environmentally friendly regulations.
The racing series, which has been declared dead by critics, is currently enjoying unimagined popularity, which is particularly pleasing to Liberty Media.
Four years ago, the American entertainment group spent around 8 billion dollars on the marketing rights that long-time Formula 1 boss Bernie Ecclestone had acquired in 2001 for 360 million dollars.
The interest in Formula 1 seems unbroken.
Duesmann is pushing into motorsport with all his might.
If Audi does not come to the train at McLaren, the Ingolstadt want to start negotiations with the competitor Williams, it is said in corporate circles.
The talks with McLaren now have priority.
Also BMW with an interest in McLaren
The British Formula 1 company, which was founded in 1963 by the racing driver and engineer Bruce McLaren and has also been producing road cars in series since 2010, would like to take over Audi completely, but BMW is also said to be only interested in the vehicle division. McLaren is one of the few remaining small racing and luxury car manufacturers that has not yet been owned by a major auto company. This makes it difficult for the British company to invest in new developments.
Just three weeks ago, long-time McLaren CEO Mike Flewitt announced his resignation.
The reasons for this remained unclear.
"Mike was largely responsible for ensuring that McLaren is now recognized as one of the leading luxury supercar brands," the company praised him on departure.
Flewitt headed the company for eight years, leading it through the Corona crisis, which, however, hit the company hard.
At times, the board even considered mortgaging part of the classic car collection in order to raise a quarter of a billion pounds.
The former Porsche boss and VW production director Michael Mann has now been appointed as interim boss for McLaren.
He is very well networked in the VW Group.