Are they buying out someone currently on the grid (Haas?) or will there be 21 (or 22) teams on the grid?
And I know I'm a contrarian here, but I like Formula E, and am hoping for growth in that sport with rapid recharging halfway through the race, or battery swaps, instead of an entire car swap mid-race.
MASSIVE brain fart. Will there be 11 (or 12) TEAMS on the grid?
This article sheds some light:
Red Bull could form daunting alliance as Audi and Porsche make Formula 1 decision
Red Bull Racing, the home of current world champion Max Verstappen, could be set for another major boost in 2026 by forming an alliance with a newly formed team in F1
Red Bull are set to form a formidable partnership with Porsche in time for the 2026 F1 season.
The prospect comes after German car companies Audi and Porsche confirmed they would be entering the sport. Herbert Diess, the head of their parent group Volkswagen, informed the media at an event at the company’s base in Wolfsburg.
Despite the chief executive admitting the move had caused arguments at board level, representatives at both Audi and Porsche had strongly pointed to the potential income generated by being in F1. He added that Porsche had made the more advanced preparations of the two.
The sport currently consists of 20 teams, with Mercedes having been the front runners in recent times, winning seven consecutive constructors’ titles. However, it is Christian Horner’s team who currently boast the world champion, following Max Verstappen’s dramatic title win in 2021 - sealed at a controversial Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
In a new era for F1 though, Ferrari have stormed back into the mix, with Charles Leclerc currently leading the drivers’ standings. McLaren have also shown ambition to challenge for titles again, having tied Lando Norris to a lucrative new long-term contract.
According to a BBC report though, it is Red Bull who will benefit most from this latest development. F1 sources have reportedly claimed that Porsche is lining up an alliance with Horner and co.
Porsche would team up with their engine division, which is currently working towards developing a new power-unit when the regulations change in 2026. The team would officially run as Red Bull-Porsche.
Audi, meanwhile, is said to have had talks with the likes of McLaren, Sauber, Aston Martin and Williams. Regardless, after years of hinting at joining F1, it appears Volkswagen will finally take the plunge.
Last month, their board provisionally approved the notion of Porsche and Audi entering F1, once engine rules were confirmed. And whilst the sport’s bosses have not fully clarified the regulations, they have given major indications over how the hybrid system will be simplified.
https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/formula-1/red-bull-audi-porsche-f1-26851920