After months of speculation, it was announced on Friday that Audi would enter F1 as an engine supplier.
Both Audi and Porsche brands are owned by the Volkswagen Group, and both had been heavily linked with a move into F1 in 2026 to coincide with the sport’s new power unit regulations.
Outgoing VW Group CEO Herbert Diess had announced in May that the VW board had approved an entry into F1 for both Audi and Porsche.
“In this case, we will have completely separate operations,” Duesmann said in response to a question from RacingNews365.com.
“[Audi] will have our operations in Germany, and if Porsche enters, they will have their operations in the UK, completely separate.”
Audi linked with Sauber tie-up
Audi have not disclosed which team they would look to partner with, but the firm have been heavily linked with Sauber, who currently compete as Alfa Romeo.
Prior to joining Audi, Duesmann was Head of Development at Sauber between 2007 and 2009, when the Swiss outfit were partnered with BMW.
With headquarters in Hinwil, Sauber are also the closest F1 team to Audi Sport’s Neuburg facility, some 400km away.
Though Porsche are yet to make any announcement regarding their plans to enter F1, the firm has been linked to Milton Keynes-based Red Bull Racing, which would coincide with their power units being developed in the UK.
