A future entry into the series, according to the maker, is still appealing.
For months, the F1 team and the producer of road vehicles have been discussing a possible partnership. Audi, a brand belonging to the same Volkswagen Group as Porsche, has already committed in response to the new engine restrictions that will be implemented for the 2026 season.
Herbert Diess, the former CEO of the VW Group, stated in May that both manufacturers had “chosen to enter Formula 1,” citing the growing interest in the competition. He said at the time that Porsche’s intentions were “already reasonably concrete,” whereas Audi’s were “not so much.”
But although Audi announced its expected arrival last month, Porsche and Red Bull’s negotiations came to a deadlock.
The potential of Porsche’s entry into Formula 1 has been discussed over the past few months, according to a statement from Porsche AG and Red Bull GmbH. “The two companies have now jointly decided that these discussions will not be resumed.”
The scope of Porsche’s incorporation into the Red Bull squad could not be agreed upon by the two parties.
The foundation of a relationship, according to Porsche, “was always that it would be built on an equal footing, which would encompass not only an engine partnership but also the team.” This was not possible to accomplish.
He did, however, say that the manufacturer is leaving the door open for a potential entry into Formula 1. The racing series “remains an appealing environment for Porsche, which will continue to be watched” even with the finalized regulation modifications, it said in its conclusion.
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The largest coup in Formula 1 in years
For Formula 1, luring a company like Porsche, the company behind the storied 911, into the sport, is a huge coup. the largest for the sport in many years, and at least the largest since Honda returned to the series in 2015. The last time Porsche participated in Formula 1 was in 1991 as an engine supplier, but it was a disaster since the Footwork Arrows cars were just uncompetitive and the engine was overweight. However, the idea of a partnership between Red Bull, Verstappen, and even Sergio Perez and Porsche is very intriguing. The season of 2026 cannot arrive fast enough.
Audi and Sauber have a partnership.
The power unit will be developed at the Audi Sport facility in Neuburg, close to Ingolstadt, according to a statement from Audi. Adam Baker will oversee this work; he joined Audi in 2021 following a three-year term as the FIA’s Safety Director.
Although Audi has not specified which team it would like to collaborate with, Sauber, which now competes as Alfa Romeo, has received significant attention from the media.
Duesmann worked as Head of Development at Sauber from 2007 to 2009, when the Swiss company was linked with BMW, before joining Audi.
Sauber is the closest Formula One team to Audi Sport’s Neuburg base, located about 400 kilometers distant, thanks to its Hinwil headquarters.
Although Porsche has not yet made any announcements regarding their intentions to compete in Formula One, the company has been connected to Milton Keynes-based Red Bull Racing, which would be consistent with the UK-based development of their power units.
Why did Porsche leave Formula One?
Porsche left Formula One at the end of the season due to exorbitant expenditures after recently purchasing the Reutter facility. F1 was too far removed from road cars for Volkswagen and German suppliers to be interested in making a commitment. Up until 1964, Privateers kept using the old Porsche 718 in Formula 1.
Porsche, do they have F1?
It should now only be a matter of time before Porsche and Audi reveal their eagerly anticipated new Formula 1 programs since the 2026 engine specifications they were waiting for are now official.
For the VW Group, the triple-skimmed pebble of financial regulation stability, the sustainability messaging through the intensification of electrical power coupled with the 100% sustainable fuel promise, and, of course, simply riding the crest of the F1 wave generated by the pandemic-enhanced power of Drive to Survive, have proven to hold an irresistible magnetism.
Porsche’s relationship with Red Bull, which was established years ago but is still in the process of being fully disclosed, is now known to the public thanks to the Moroccan documents.
It makes perfect sense for Porsche to pursue F1 success, something the company has never done as a factory, save from serving as a tech provider to McLaren from 1983 to 1987 through the TAG-branded turbo engines.
It will be a little more complicated for Audi because they will be working with an existing team, most likely the Sauber team that is presently driving Alfa Romeo.
The most effective method of defossiliztion, according to Audi CEO Markus Duesmann, is by far e-mobility, he remarked earlier this year.
And after shelving a nearly fully funded LMDh project that would have returned it to the Le Mans 24 Hours and the World Endurance Championship it once dominated and beginning to offload its factory drivers, it has concluded that F1 is the best platform to communicate that message.
When the pandemic was at its worst, Audi began laying the groundwork for this, and when it abandoned its factory Formula E effort, it provided significant hints.
It did so with the knowledge that Formula E would face challenging years in the future and that F1 was on the rise and will probably include some improved EV messaging in its 2026 rules.
Although Audi’s ambitions are not yet completely known, a cooperation with Sauber makes sense from the admirable perspective that it shares comparable principles with those of employment regulations and “looking after its workers”—a quality that Peter Sauber has always instilled into his business.
When will Porsche make its F1 debut?
The Supervisory Board of VW Group authorized Porsche and Audi’s ambitions to enter Formula 1 in April. Porsche’s chairman announced in May that the company had begun working on an engine for the racing circuit.
Porsche’s last F1 season was when?
Professor h.c. F. German automaker Porsche AG, commonly abbreviated as Porsche AG, is known for its high-performance vehicles and engines. It is believed to be the biggest and most prosperous racing vehicle company in the world, and it is based in Stuttgart.
From 1957 to 1964, Porsche vehicles powered by either Flat-4 or Flat-8 air-cooled engines participated in Formula One. Dan Gurney, driving for them, claimed their lone championship triumph at the 1962 French Grand Prix.
Which Formula One team is Porsche buying?
Legal documents state that Porsche will buy a 50% stake in Red Bull Technology in order to partner with the team and enter Formula 1 in 2026.
When the new power unit regulations were announced earlier this year, VW stated that the Volkswagen Group was interested in competing in Formula One. Porsche and Audi were given the go-ahead to start developing their entry. Audi’s plans seem less firm at this time, but Porsche has frequently been associated with a relationship with Red Bull, and further information about the plans has now surfaced.
Although there is currently no formal confirmation, Morocco’s mandated publishing of the proposed deal has resulted from the requirement to submit evidence to antitrust authorities:
Porsche has agreed to buy a 50% investment in Red Bull Technology, according to the disclosure form, which claims the deal will be disclosed on August 4 and will need a 10-year commitment. Porsche is anticipated to provide the power unit, but the ownership stake may give it more sway.
Why doesn’t Lamborghini compete in Formula One?
Although the Italian automaker has produced some of the most iconic automobiles in history, Lamborghini hasn’t been the dominant force in Formula 1. Even more people have discovered the sport thanks to Netflix’s Drive to Survive, but some auto fans have noted Lamborghini’s absence from the grid.
Despite not taking part in the event in 2021 or 2022, the Italian automaker has previous experience. According to F1 Technical, Lamborghini raced a vehicle dubbed the Lambo 291 in the 1990s. Despite possessing a strong V12 engine, its brief career didn’t turn out as expected.
There isn’t an official Formula One team for Lamborghini. However, the Italian automaker did make a foray into the sport in the early 1990s. This was the time the automaker ordered engineers Mario Tolentino and Mauro Forghieri to create a new vehicle based on the automaker’s L3512 naturally aspirated V12. Like all F1 vehicles at the time, the Lambo 291 had a carbon-fiber chassis. The automobile was about 1124 pounds in weight. The only transmission used to provide V12 power to the rear wheels was a six-speed manual.
It’s interesting to note that Lamborghini didn’t want its name on the squad since the company didn’t want to damage its reputation if the team failed. The team’s name is Modena because of this. However, Lamborghini decided to call its vehicle the Lambo 291.
Despite enormous expectations, the Lamborghini F1 car wasn’t a huge success. The 1991 Formula 1 season was the sole time the Lambo 291 was active. The pre-qualifying sessions served as its initial test. To even be eligible for one of the 16 races that year, the car had to perform well in these qualifying sessions.
Sadly, the automobile only competed in races six times. The Lambo 291 finished sixth at the U.S. Grand Prix on its best day. Lamborghini didn’t want to invest in a struggling squad, despite the fact that the company had one respectable finish at the beginning of the season. Despite having great hopes in 1992, Modena never returned to Formula 1.
Even if it happens, Lamborghini rejoining Formula One is doubtful. Just to enter costs $200 million. The current teams each receive an equal share of the money. Budgeting would also be required for the creation of a whole new vehicle and powertrain. Because Lamborghini lacks the same racing heritage as Ferrari, it would be prohibitively pricey.
Why tinker with success when Lamborghini’s Urus SUV is breaking sales records? If anything, Porsche or Audi have a stronger chance of entering Formula 1 because Lamborghini is controlled by the Volkswagen group.
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Audi and Porsche: F1 entry?
In the early hours of Friday at Spa, Audi declared its intention to compete in Formula One in 2026 using a brand-new powertrain.
A deal to acquire Sauber, which is presently in competition under the Alfa Romeo banner, is almost ready to be finalized by the manufacturer.
Porsche, meanwhile, has not yet made a public announcement regarding its intention to collaborate with Red Bull Racing and the newly formed Red Bull Powertrains company.
Given that Mercedes just competed against the two German companies in Formula E, Wolff made it clear that Mercedes welcomes the rivalry.
“And having some of the best auto manufacturers in the world as competitors is excellent for the sport and great for us.
“The most difficult sporting competition for any automaker in the world is F1. With these newcomers, it already has been challenging and will only get more so.”
The new Audi Sport F1 concept car is unveiled by Stefano Domenicali, CEO of Formula 1, Mohammed bin Sulayem, President of the FIA, Oliver Hoffmann, Head of Technical Development at Audi Sport GmbH, and Markus Duesmann, Chairman of the Board of Management of Audi AG.
Wolff claimed to comprehend the various approaches Porsche and Audi are using for their respective initiatives.
“Given that one is your completely integrated works team in Switzerland and the other is your affiliation with one of the top F1 teams in the world, I believe you are simply hedging your bets. I think the dual-track approach makes sense.”
Jost Capito, the team principal of the Williams team and the former head of the VW WRC program, concurred that the strength of the sport was proved by Audi’s entry into Formula 1.
“It was unthinkable a few years ago, but today it’s even two manufacturers, two brands from the VW Group, with Porsche expected to confirm and Audi confirmed. Therefore, I believe it to be excellent for F1.
“I believe Audi has had success everywhere they have gone. And if they follow the program and take it seriously, they will arrive sooner or later, in my opinion. I’m quite certain about this.”