For Jost Capito, the plan to invest in Formula 1 is very serious at Volkswagen, given the time already spent thinking about it.
A true Arlesian of Formula 1, the involvement of the Volkswagen group has never seemed so close as it has in recent weeks. The prospect of seeing the German giant invest in the premier category is now strong because the signs that point in this direction are multiplying. And it is not Jost Capito, former of the house for having been sporting director of Volkswagen Motorsport between 2012 and 2016, who will say the opposite. Now Williams’ F1 manager, the one who has been successful in the WRC with VW believes that the manufacturer’s plans should be taken very seriously.
Volkswagen’s arrival in Formula 1 is being scrutinized for the next cycle of engine regulation, from 2026, and could materialize through the Porsche or Audi brands. The bosses of the two subsidiaries of the group participated in several summit meetings this year with the leaders of F1 to discuss the future regulations. Above all, at the start of the month, Porsche Motorsport vice-president Thomas Laudenbach was very clear, evoking elements that are materializing while underlining tight timing to be respected.
A very attentive observer of the situation from his post at Williams, Jost Capito has no doubts about the interest shown. “I think it depends a lot on the regulations, and the engine regulations for 2026 have not yet been released. I think it all depends on that,” he said. “They’ve been involved in the engine regulation discussions and I don’t think they’re wasting their time attending those meetings, especially if the CEO is in it, if they’re not serious. But ultimately it depends on what will be the final regulation. If the Volkswagen Group thinks that makes sense, it could ask its board of directors to make a decision. “
There has been talk of seeing Volkswagen land in F1 via a factory contract with an existing team, namely Red Bull, which will have its own engine department from next year. In addition, McLaren recently denied information about its takeover by Audi. There would have been attempts at a discussion to unite, but which would only be emerging even today. For Jost Capito, committing to Formula 1 by creating his own team would be a “difficult” option, even for a group as powerful as VW, given certain peculiarities to be taken into account.
“I know it’s always difficult with a well-known team, especially for a German team, with all the union regulations, you can’t really run a racing team,” he warns. “That’s why in the past Audi has allied with Joest, other teams, just like BMW, because it’s very difficult to make a factory team work. Maybe it’s easier. if it’s overseas. I don’t really know. “
“When you look at the Volkswagen Group, they’ve had different strategies in the past. The rally team, for example, was entirely a factory team, and Porsche outsourced all of their factory teams, like Audi. I’m not involved in these types of discussions, but I think that explains enough why they need to make the right decision. “
