Porsche Confirms F1 Entry for 2026

[Carrera28]

VW CEO confirms Audi, Porsche F1 entries for 2026

Date published: May 2 2022 - Jon Wilde

https://www.planetf1.com/news/vw-ceo-confirms-audi-porsche-entries/

Volkswagen’s chief executive, Herbert Diess, has confirmed Audi and Porsche will enter Formula 1 in 2026.

Diess indicated Porsche’s plans were a little more certain at this early stage – which may well mean them linking up with Red Bull for an engine programme.

Since last summer when they both became involved in talks over F1’s next generation of engines from 2026, Audi and Porsche, who are both part of the Volkswagen group, have been increasingly linked with joining the grid.

Unofficial confirmation occurred in early April, as reported by Reuters, who are now attributing the official word to chief executive Diess in a YouTube video.

There were not, however, any specific details from the 63-year-old Munich-born Austrian national, although Reuters reported that Porsche “intends to establish a long-term partnership with Red Bull starting in several years’ time”, which will essentially mean 2026.

Reuters are also sticking to their story from March that Audi have put a bid of 500 million euros (£418million) on the table for the McLaren team which, if accepted, would enable them to enter Formula 1 as a constructor rather than simply as an engine manufacturer.

[Carrera28]

Courtesy of https://www.planetf1.com/news/first-red-bull-porsche-details-emerge/

First Porsche and Red Bull partnership details emerge
Date published: July 28 2022 - Henry Valantine

A document from the Conseil de la Concurrence in Morocco has set out Porsche’s intentions to purchase 50% of the Red Bull Formula 1 operation which would make them equal partners in a 10-year agreement, as first reported by Motorsport-Total.

The document, reportedly submitted jointly between Porsche AG and Red Bull GmbH, contains details of Porsche’s plans to buy half of Red Bull Technology, although Motorsport.com report this arrangement will extend into their separate Formula 1 business also.

Antitrust regulations require authorities within the EU and 20 countries outside the EU must see the agreement, and details are reportedly set to be released by the Moroccan authorities as part of its legislative requirement to publish such agreements once they are agreed.

Only Red Bull Technology is mentioned in the document, although an agreement will in all likelihood include AlphaTauri in being supplied with Porsche power, with the Red Bull sister team remaining fully in Red Bull’s hands.

A partnership between Red Bull and Porsche has long been rumoured to have been in the pipeline, with the German marque set to confirm their entry into Formula 1 once the 2026 engine regulations have been finalised and approved by the FIA World Motor Sport Council.

There had been previous reports that an official announcement of the Red Bull-Porsche deal would come at the Austrian Grand Prix, but was delayed as the future engine formula was not fully agreed at the last World Motor Sport Council meeting at the end of June – although Alpine team principal Otmar Szafnauer acknowledged the “big things have been decided” surrounding the 2026 plans.

Meanwhile, reports of Audi lodging a bid to purchase a majority share of the Sauber Group persist, although Porsche’s fellow Volkswagen Group brand is not said to be as far along in finalising how their proposed involvement in Formula 1 will take shape.

[Carrera28]

I guess I was premature 🤷‍♂️

Statement declares Red Bull-Porsche F1 link-up talks officially over

Plans for a Formula 1 link-up between Red Bull and Porsche are now officially over following a statement from the German manufacturer.

Since it began to emerge in the summer of 2021 that Audi and Porsche would enter F1 in 2026 when the next generation of power units will be introduced, links between Red Bull and Porsche had grown stronger – until the last week.

There had even been reports that Porsche could buy a 50% stake in the Red Bull F1 team, on the basis they would be supplying the Milton Keynes-based constructor with engines.

But in the immediate aftermath of the Dutch Grand Prix, suddenly the connection began to weaken and now it appears Porsche will be looking elsewhere for a team with which to join forces if their F1 plans are formally given the green light.

“In the course of the last few months, Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG and Red Bull GmbH have held talks on the possibility of Porsche’s entry into Formula 1,” the statement reads.

“The two companies have now jointly come to the conclusion these talks will no longer be continued.

“The premise was always that a partnership would be based on an equal footing, which would include not only an engine partnership but also the team. This could not be achieved.

“With the finalised rule changes, the racing series nevertheless remains an attractive environment for Porsche, which will continue to be monitored.”

It was clearly the amount of influence Porsche wanted over the team’s operations that was a major sticking point – with rumours even having circulated that Christian Horner’s position as team principal would have been under threat.

“There are always wild rumours in this paddock,” Horner was quoted as saying.

“I recently made a commitment to this team in the long term and indeed any discussions we’ve had have been contingent upon the management structure being the same, which has always been fully accepted.

“So I don’t really need to comment on speculation.”

Although Honda have not severed all ties with Red Bull since their official withdrawal from F1 at the end of last year, it remains unknown as to whether they would be tempted to return for 2026.

In the meantime, Red Bull Powertrains will continue with their engine project which was set up after Honda announced they were pulling out, with Horner saying: “For 2026, we are fully committed.

“We’ve recruited some of the best talent in Formula 1 within Red Bull Powertrains, we’ve created a factory within 55 weeks with fully commissioned dynos, we’ve built our first prototype engine for 2026 and run before the summer break.

“We are on a really exciting trajectory that isn’t dependent on outside involvement or investment if there is strategically the right partner.”

[LeeM]

 It would be hilarious if they bought into Haas, then flogged Red Bull 😅 We can only wish.

 Porsche never do things by halves when it comes to motorsport, so whenever (and if) they do get into F1, I'm sure they'll be competitive pretty quickly...as long as it's not McLaren 🙄