AUDI AG said it was open to cooperation opportunities, without commenting specifically on the British luxury sportscar maker. German autos publication Automobilwoche had reported on November 14, 2021 that the two carmakers were interested in buying McLaren Automotive Limited, without specifying its sources. Audi is also interested in the Formula 1 division of the company, Automobilwoche said.

Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft (XTRA:BMW) told Reuters by phone that the report was wrong. Audi said in an email that it regularly considers different cooperation opportunities, but it did not comment on the specific case of McLaren.