They are two of motorsport’s true giants. Porsche must be regarded as the greatest sportscar manufacturer, particularly when it comes to the Le Mans 24 Hours. And Audi revolutionised rallying before scoring success in touring cars, endurance competition and Formula E.
But neither has a particularly storied history in Formula 1. Aside from the TAG-badged Porsche engine that powered McLaren to five titles in the 1980s, it’s been slim pickings at the pinnacle of the sport, and they have often looked elsewhere. Given the current boom F1 is enjoying, that now seems set to change.
This week, Matt Kew looks at the reasons behind their new directions and examines how Audi and Porsche are likely to attack their F1 programmes. They have different approaches but both will be taken seriously when they take the plunge.
Sebastian Vettel will soon decide whether he is staying in F1. He gave everyone an insight into what he could do when he does leave by tackling some big issues on the BBC’s Question Time last week. Luke Smith assesses Vettel’s performance on the famous show.
Continuing the German theme, Formula E was in Berlin last weekend and a Mercedes powertrain was the thing to have. Jake Boxall-Legge was there to see how Edoardo Mortara got back into title contention – and reigning champion Nyck de Vries make an opportunistic and race-winning pass in the second contest.
Josh Cook was sublime in tricky conditions in the British Touring Car Championship bouts at Brands Hatch and Marcus Simmons was there to see how the rain dampened the BMW challenge, which had looked dominant in qualifying.
As ever, the support categories provided plenty of action and Stephen Lickorish’s Brands reports form part of our 17-page National section on the weekend’s UK, historic and club motorsport.
Further afield, Colton Herta underlined his status as an IndyCar star by winning from 14th on the grid at a wet Indianapolis. David Malsher-Lopez was on hand to watch Herta make the right calls and a stunning save before taking his seventh series victory.
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