A report from Autocar has claimed that Audi have secured an entry into Formula 1 by striking a deal to buy out the entire McLaren Group!

Autocar say that the financial future of McLaren will have been secured by the deal, which will take “complete control” of the entire group – including its Formula 1 operation.

The report also claims that there is currently no change in the management structure within the team, and an Audi spokesperson offered no comment about the deal when asked by Autocar.

This move, if confirmed, would confirm Audi’s parent company, the Volkswagen Group, making an entry into Formula 1, which had long been mooted considering their involvement in negotiations surrounding the sport’s proposed new engine formula, to come in for the 2026 season.

Porsche, also owned by VW, have been involed in engine talks as well, and they have been previously linked with a move to partner Red Bull as a power unit supplier in the future, which could eventually take over from the newly-established Red Bull Powertrains division.

The Autocar report also says that Audi’s acquisition of McLaren would not block Porsche entering the sport themselves, with Porsche’s motorsport boss Thomas Laudenbach recently saying the brand is still “seriously considering” making a Formula 1 comeback.