Porsche offer significant F1 entry update as iconic brand's stance made clear

Porsche have offered an update on their plans to return to Formula 1 after a previous deal with Red Bull failed to materialise.

Porsche’s path back to F1 appeared promising when discussions with Red Bull Racing began in 2022, with a proposed deal that would have seen Porsche acquire a 50% stake in both the Red Bull team and its new powertrain division.

F1 HEADLINES: Vettel linked with shock RETURN as Perez 'out' of Red Bull

READ MORE: EXCLUSIVE: Newey wants Hamilton F1 project in 'DREAM move'

However, the partnership collapsed in September 2022, with Porsche stating that the talks between the two companies had ended.

At the time, Red Bull's Christian Horner explained that the fit between the two brands was not quite right with the direction his team were going in.

Following the breakdown of negotiations, Red Bull secured a partnership with Ford for the 2026 season, while Audi announced its intent to enter F1 as an engine supplier, eventually taking full control of Sauber.

Will Porsche ever enter F1?

Now, Porsche’s vice president of motorsport Thomas Laudenbach has confirmed that the company's aspirations to enter F1 once again have come to an end.

Laudenbach’s comments are the first official statement from Porsche regarding their F1 ambitions since the 2026 regulations were fully unveiled in June, effectively putting to rest any hopes of seeing the legendary marque back on the F1 grid.

Describing the situation as “a closed chapter,” Laudenbach made it clear that F1 is no longer on Porsche’s radar.

“It is off the table: right now F1 is not a task for us, and we are not spending any energy on that,” he stated, as quoted by motorsport.com.

Instead, Porsche is concentrating on its current motorsport commitments, which Laudenbach described as “nearly the perfect fit for the brand.”

Porsche’s decision comes more than 30 years after its last involvement in F1, where it served as an engine supplier for Footwork in 1991.

Focus on current motorsport portfolio

Laudenbach emphasised that Porsche is fully committed to its existing motorsport endeavours, which span a broad spectrum of racing disciplines.

“We are engaged in customer racing from track days, GT4, one-make series up to professional GT racing [in GT3],” Laudenbach explained.

Additionally, Porsche remains a key player in the world of endurance racing through its participation in the World Endurance Championship and the IMSA SportsCar Championship with the 963 LMDh in partnership with Penske.

Crucially, Porsche is also heavily involved in Formula E, reflecting the brand’s commitment to electrification.

“The third part, since electrification of our brand is very important, is our engagement in Formula E, which is the only full-electric series on a high level,” Laudenbach noted.

This diverse motorsport portfolio, according to Laudenbach, leaves Porsche “well-occupied and extremely happy” with its current activities, negating the need to pursue an F1 entry.

With Porsche now officially closing the door on an F1 return, the motorsport world will continue to watch the brand’s progress in other racing series where it remains a dominant force.

Related

Sergio Perez

Red Bull announce HUGE Perez change for Brazilian GP

• November 1, 2024 20:57

Red Bull F1 News

Red Bull announce exclusive takeover ahead of Brazilian GP

• November 1, 2024 08:27
• 2