The great news that Audi and Porsche are both interested in entering Formula 1 was formally disclosed earlier this month. As you may have heard, Audi is apparently interested in taking over the struggling McLaren F1 team, while Porsche appears to be on track to sign a deal with Red Bull Racing. Of course, nothing is certain at this point, and neither of the Volkswagen-owned businesses has made its investment plans public, but the latest rumor is intriguing: Audi may purchase Aston Martin's Formula One team.

With the British team having only five points after four races, Aston Martin chairman Lawrence Stroll may decide to cut his losses and transfer his son to NASCAR.

"I believe it's incredibly enticing to have this opportunity for any team who doesn't have a manufacturer on their side," Aston Martin team principal Mick Krack stated at this weekend's Imola Grand Prix. "We'd be lying if we said anything like that didn't pique our attention. I'd welcome the opportunity to speak with you."

Jost Capito, who won the World Rally Championship with Volkswagen, shared those views, and with his team in last place with only one point so far, a cooperation with a huge brand like Audi would be a dream come true.

While Aston Martin has road vehicles that help promote its racing exploits, recent criticisms about the Vantage F1 safety car's speed have not been pleasant, and we can't picture someone like Stroll loving all the bad press.

Ralf Schumacher, a former Williams BMW driver and Sky Germany TV analyst, said the reports regarding Audi and Aston fit, adding that Stroll may be willing to minimize his losses because he is an investor first and a car fan second. "Audi is absolutely seeking for its own squad," Schumacher added, "and appropriately, that may suit rather nicely."

Even the brilliantly performing Haas team of 2022 is subject to negotiation, so Audi appears to have plenty of choices if it decides against building a works team from the ground up. Guenther Steiner, the team's manager, is also interested in considering possible collaborations: "Who, as Mike Krack pointed out, would refuse to speak to them? However, we have not had any discussions."

In any case, it appears like Audi and Porsche's ventures into Formula One are now a matter of when, not if. We can't wait to get started.