Emerson Fittipaldi wants works Volkswagen team in Formula 1

Former Formula 1 world champion Emerson Fittipaldi has said that he would like to see a works Volkswagen team in the sport, given the financial resources they have available to them as a group.

The Brazilian was speaking to Vegas Insider, and was asked about VW’s predicted involvement on the grid from 2026, which is when the sport is set to change its engine regulations from their current configuration.

Indeed, one of the hopes of the sport around the changes was that we’d see new automotive brands expressing an interest in joining the grid and they do not come much bigger than VW, especially when you look at some of the names that they have in their stable.

Most likely, it has been suggested, is that we’ll see Audi and Porsche on the grid as engine providers to some of the current teams initially, but Fittipaldi has said whilst that is great news, it would have been interesting to see VW enter as a full team themselves, to try and take on the likes of Ferrari, Red Bull and Mercedes.

“I don’t know, it’s difficult to answer, but they have the potential to start from zero. They don’t need to get a team,” Fittipaldi said.

“Theoretically, they have the financial resources and technology to start a brand new team if they want.

“That’s very good news. F1 is having so much good news, it’s incredible.”

There’s no doubting VW would have the financial clout to eventually make a splash in F1 but perhaps adding Porsche and Audi as engine manufacturers is where they want to start.

Whatever happens, it’s good F1 is attracting big automotive brands like this thanks to their new engine regulation plans for 2026, as that was naturally a key part of the sport’s mission.