There remains potential for Porsche to enter Formula 1 in 2026 despite walking away from a Red Bull deal, the FIA has suggested.
For several months, Red Bull and Porsche were rumoured to be linking up in 2026, when new power unit regulations will come into play.
However, last month Porsche announced that it wouldn’t enter into a partnership with the energy drink-backed squad going forward.
“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,” Porsche said at the time.
“With the finalised rule changes, the racing series nevertheless remains an attractive environment for Porsche, which will continue to be monitored.”
Porsche’s announcement was expected to follow Audi’s, who confirmed that it would join in 2026 as a power unit supplier – however it is expected that it will also take over the Sauber-run Alfa Romeo team.
Despite Porsche’s refusal to work with Red Bull, the FIA has hinted that Porsche could still be present on the F1 grid in the near future.
“At Spa-Francorchamps in August, Audi announced it was joining the FIA Formula One World Championship from 2026 as a power unit manufacturer,” said FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem.
“This announcement was an endorsement of the hard work by all stakeholders to develop those Regulations. We also note that Porsche are still in discussions with Formula 1 teams.”
Porsche’s potential entry has been well-received by senior management members in F1, including Mercedes CEO and Team Principal Toto Wolff.
“It would be a great thing for F1 if Porsche would join as well,” Wolff said. “They just need to figure out if there’s another interesting project, whether they can buy a team.
“Maybe that’s not ‘26, maybe that’s ‘27 or ‘28. They would be a great addition to the grid in F1.”
“Porsche’s refusal to work with Red Bull…”? Hogwash! This reminds me of one of those upcoming election political commercials where the truth is flushed down the loo in order to (attempt to) make the other side appear to be highly undesirable. It was Red Bull who refused the requirement from Porsche for “equal footing” and part ownership. The refusal came from Red Bull, not Porsche.
Yep
Precisely so. If Porsche want full control, they should either find a team whose owner is looking to sell up completely, or they should start one from scratch and do the hard work. The idea that a successful team would allow them to muscle in and start giving the orders was born out of pure arrogance on Porsche’s part.