Home/F1
feature-image

via Getty

feature-image

via Getty

Tesla CEO Elon Musk, who is also one of the richest men in the world, shook the entire world after his bid for Twitter. However, he shook the F1 world a few months back by claiming his company’s SUV is faster than an F1 car.

article-image

via Reuters

Musk is making a name for himself with eco-friendly electric cars. Model X Plaid is one of the latest in the line of Tesla’s electric cars and it is one of the fastest electric cars. However, it is not as fast as a Formula 1 car which runs on a 1.6L V6 turbo-hybrid engine. Or is it?

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

A few months back, someone shared a clip on Twitter, where the Tesla Model X Plaid accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in just 2.3 seconds. Soon, the richest man in the world noticed the tweet. Musk replied to the tweet and said, “An SUV that is faster than a Formula 1 race car.”

To prove the claim further, Musk shared a post where it states a Formula 1 car takes 2.6 seconds to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph. Many motorsport websites also jumped into the debate and claimed that an F1 car takes less time than the listed time. So, it’s unclear whether the Model X Plaid is faster than an F1 car. However, it is undoubtedly one of the fastest premium electric cars at the moment.

A hurdle for Audi and Porsche to join F1

The rumors about the German big shots like Audi and Porsche joining F1 have been around for a long time. But recently, the rumors are getting closer to reality. Further, the German manufacturers are eyeing joining the paddock as a power unit supplier instead of a Formula 1 team.

READ MORE: Andretti Only One of Four New Potential Groups Awaiting F1 Entry

There is speculation about Audi supplying engines to McLaren, who is a Mercedes customer at the moment. Further, Porsche is eyeing sealing a deal with Red Bull. The Austrian F1 team’s contract ended with Honda last season and they are using rebranded Honda engines until the 2025 season.

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

Even F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali wants these big-shot manufacturers to join the motorsport. However, there is a wall at the moment which is not letting the deal get final. The German manufacturers presented some conditions before F1 to join the sport in 2026.

WATCH THIS STORY: Most Dangerous Crashes In F1 History

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

The Volkswagen subsidiaries want a 50 percent reduction in power unit prices. And they also want to abolish the MGU-H technology which the F1 cars currently use.

The governing bodies are looking into the conditions carefully as it can be an advantage for the new manufacturers but a disadvantage for those who are already in the sport. Let’s see what changes Formula 1 is willing to introduce to welcome Audi and Porsche.

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT