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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Why is Porsche lacking an F1 vehicle?
One of the most well-known brands in auto racing is Porsche, and they have vehicles in several races. Additionally, they are among the most well-known automobile names outside of the racing world. It is therefore reasonable to inquire why Porsche does not have an F1 vehicle.
Porsche doesn’t own an F1 car for a number of reasons, but the primary one is that it doesn’t align with their corporate ideals because it deviates too much from their focus on road cars. They don’t have an F1 car for another major reason, but they do compete in other motorsports.
Porsche dominates the luxury and sports car markets, which deters them from prioritizing motorsport. To understand why they are no longer in Formula 1, however, it is important to consider their former involvement in the sport as well as their numerous other motorsport ventures.
Porsche withdrew from Formula One for a very long time for the following reasons.
Porsche refused to compete in a number of F1 races for a number of years.
Yes, it is true what they say. Porsche is making a comeback to Formula One and plans to compete in the 2026 season. Along with Porsche, Audi, a leader in the automotive industry, is also making a comeback. For many years, Porsche has planned its comeback, and it is finally starting to materialize. We are giddy beyond belief.
Previous sources indicated that we might anticipate Volkswagen subsidiaries Porsche and Audi to provide engines to the F1 display. The return was perfectly timed, especially considering that the FIA is anticipated to create and implement new engine regulations by 2026.
We shall now return to the primary subject of this article as the German manufacturer inches closer to a triumphant comeback to the Formula One track. We’re going to discover out why this amazing automaker has been absent from the F1 scene for so long.
Porsche in racing
The majority of Porsche’s victories in the various motorsport disciplines have come in long-distance competitions.
By the mid-1950s, Porsche had already experienced some success in the world of sports car racing, most notably in the Carrera Panamericana and Targa Florio, historic races that were later used to inspire the names of streetcars. However, their early involvement in motorsports was limited to providing relatively small engines to underdog racing teams up until the late 1960s.
[Reference needed] They became a force thanks to the Porsche 917 of 1969, winning the first of more than a dozen 24 Hours of Le Mans, more than any other firm, in 1970. Porsche dominated the 1970s with the 911 Carrera RS and Porsche 935 Turbo, even defeating sports prototypes, a category into which Porsche entered the successful 936, 956, and 962 models.
The largest manufacturer of race cars nowadays is Porsche. Porsche constructed 195 race cars in 2006 for various international motorsports competitions, and in 2007 Porsche is anticipated to build at least 275 race cars specifically (7 RS Spyder LMP2 prototypes, 37 GT2 spec 911 GT3-RSRs, and 231 911 GT3 Cup vehicles).
It was historically extremely rare for factory-entered Porsche racing cars to participate at consecutive races in the same specification because Porsche views racing as a crucial component of ongoing engineering development. Almost always, some part of the car was being developed, either for the upcoming race programs or as a proof of concept for upcoming road vehicles.
For its Formula 1 entry, Audi claims it chose to construct a distinct engine from Porsche in order to facilitate easier cooperation with various chassis.
At the Belgian Grand Prix on Friday, the German automaker finally announced its participation in Formula One for the 2026 season, announcing it would be building and producing its own power unit from its Neuburg headquarters. Although there has not yet been a formal announcement regarding the partnership, it will involve Sauber.
Audi’s intention to build its own engine has generated some interest because sister company Porsche will be teaming up with the Milton Keynes-based team to use its own engine as well. Porsche is anticipated to announce its entry with Red Bull in the coming weeks.
As a result, parent firm VW will have to invest more money in two distinct engine development programs than if they just shared ideas and rebadged them.
Markus Deusmann, chairman of the board at Audi, revealed that there had been extensive internal debate inside the firm about whether or not to pool engine resources with Porsche before the decision to have distinct projects was made.
In the end, he claimed that the demand for Audi to act independently came from the need to optimize power units for certain teams.
He remarked, “You can imagine there was a big discussion. “But we choose to keep it totally independent and conduct two operations because both of our brands have large followings and distinctive personalities.
“We had a number of explanations for that. There will be various teams, thus the powerplant needs to be specifically tailored to the chassis. Because we would have entirely distinct chassis and powertrains, that is why we opted to split it.
“To fulfill the deadline, the integration work of the electrified side on the powertrain, coupled with the chassis, it costs time to produce it in two cars,” said Oliver Hoffmann, head of Audi technical development. Therefore, it’s entirely different operations, and we will handle the integration work ourselves.
If Audi wants to be competitive starting in 2026, it will need to catch up to other manufacturers like Mercedes and Ferrari in terms of its understanding of the F1’s turbo hybrid rules.
The car business believes it will be able to catch up eventually because of the way new laws have been written to give more freedom to new competitors.
Hoffmann continued, “First of all, completing this task [by] 2026 is going to be a significant challenge.
“However, I believe that we are able to work out some compromises with the rules so that we may enter on [equal terms] with all of the other contestants. We enjoy the challenge, too.
“In less than a year, we were able to run the Dakar and construct the Dakar car, which also has a very sophisticated drivetrain. And by 2026, I believe we will be able to create this powertrain as well.
Well, it’s obvious that we are in the situation that we are in, Deusmann remarked. And the others already have functional powertrains. However, the size of the regulation modifications gave us the opportunity to intervene and compete.
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.
If you enjoy reading about racing, come along with me to Italy for my Cradle of Supercars Travel Adventure Tour! Our tour includes driving a Ferrari or Lamborghini, touring historic towns, participating in Italian cooking classes, and visiting exotic factories and museums, including two Ferrari, two Lamborghini, Pagani, Ducati, and the Imola racetrack. All of this is seen through the eyes of fellow car enthusiasts. In case you need a break from all the speed, brake dust, and screeching tires, we also offer a day in Florence, Italy!
Yes, there are enough activities for the traveling companion who isn’t a car aficionado, making this the ideal gift for a birthday or a trip for couples, girls, or boys. From September 1–8, 2022, we’ll be on tour again! Just saying, you’ll have the perfect opportunity to take in the Italian F1 Grand Prix in Monza from September 9–11, 2022.
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.