Wolff: F1 to get 'tougher' with Audi and Porsche entries

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff says the arrivals in F1 of Audi and Porsche will only make the sport tougher for all competitors.

Audi confirmed on Friday at Spa its entry into Formula 1 from 2026, although it has yet to seal a deal with a partner team, with talks reportedly advancing with Sauber over an acquisition of the Hinwil outfit that races under the Alfa Romeo name.

Porsche has not yet officially announced its commitment to F1, but Audi's fellow Volkswagen affiliate is expected to confirm in the near future its joint venture with Red Bull.

Wolff says that both prestigious brands' arrival among motorsport's elite is "great" news for Grand Prix racing but will surely raise the bar for competitors in the future.

"It's great," Wolff said. "I think when you see who has joined F1 in terms of automotive companies, and the very best brands in their sector outside of automotive, it shows the strength of the sport.

"And it's great for the sport, great for us to have some of the best auto companies in the world as competitors.

"F1 is the toughest sports competition for any automobile company in the world. It has been, and it's just going to get tougher with these guys coming."

• Read also: Audi to announce F1 team partner 'within this year'

Williams Racing boss Jost Capito, who managed Volkswagen's motor sport programme in the WRC in the past, also underscored the importance of Audi's arrival for Formula 1.

"I think it's really important for F1 if an auto manufacturer like VW Group confirms to enter," he said, quoted by Motorsport.com.

"It's a sign for all other manufacturers as well, and it shows the importance and the step F1 has done in recent years.

"A couple of years ago, it was out of the question, and now it's even two manufacturers, two brands out of the VW Group with Audi confirmed and Porsche most likely to confirm. So I think that it's brilliant for F1.

"I think Audi has succeeded wherever they went. And I'm absolutely convinced if they do the programme, they do it seriously, and they will get there sooner or later. I don't have any doubts on this."

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter