As per the latest developments, Porsche’s Formula 1 dream has hit a dead end after failed talks with Red Bull. According to its representative Thomas Laudenbach, the German giant no longer sees an opportunity anytime soon and its F1 aspiration is now a “closed chapter” following an unsuccessful bid to partner with the Austrian world champion.
Back in 2022, Porsche tried to initiate a deal with Red Bull and join the sport as an engine supplier from the 2026 F1 season onward. However, the deal did not materialize as the Milton Keynes outfit withdrew its interest.
Moreover, following the Red Bull opportunity, there is no progress from Porsche’s side to tie-up with a different team as of 2024 and return to the pinnacle of motorsport, some three decades after their last association in 1991. Laudenbach said (via Motorsport):
“It is off the table. Right now, F1 is not a task for us and we are not spending any energy on that. We are only focused on what we do right now, and if you look at it, we have many different activities. We are well-occupied and extremely happy with what we do.”
Notably, Volkswagen had announced in 2022 that two of its brands, Audi and Porsche, will seek an opportunity to enter F1. Audi has been successful in taking a 10 percent stake in Kick Sauber F1 Team, and by the end of 2025, it will completely overhaul the team and rebrand it ahead of 2026.
Porsche, on the other hand, is happy with its current racing series competitions. The German giant is currently participating in the GT4 racing series, World Endurance Racing and Formula E.
Why did the Red Bull and Porsche deal not materialize?
Despite months of discussions, Porsche and Red Bull’s deal ultimately fell through around September 2022. The primary reason? The Austrian team wanted to remain independent and not share a 50-50 partnership with the German manufacturer.
Ford CEO Jim Farley (R) makes a speech at a program as Red Bull launches the Formula One 2023 car in New York, United States on February 03, 2023. Credit: Getty Images
The Milton Keynes-based squad’s principal Christian Horner had said at the time (via Racer):
“One of the strengths this team has has been its independence. At times it instills all of our virtues and values — as a challenger, as a maverick — and it’s one of the core attributes that has enabled us to be as successful as we have in the sport to date. We didn’t want to diminish those or dilute those in any way and they’re fundamental principles for how we will also attack the challenge of the power unit.”
After denying Porsche a deal, the world champion tied up with Ford a few months later. The American manufacturer is set to help Red Bull with their powertrains division actively under the new regulations that will apply from the 2026 season onward.