Formula 1: Despite its ongoing interest in Formula 1, Porsche has reportedly terminated its formal assessment of a program to join the Formula 1 grid in 2026. The Volkswagen Group-owned company had plans to participate in the competition alongside its sibling brand Audi, in compliance with the new engine regulations. Follow Formula 1 LIVE Updates on InsideSport.IN.
Audi committed to constructing its own Formula 1 engine and reached an agreement to acquire a stake in the Sauber team, whereas Porsche’s discussions with Red Bull and McLaren fell apart due to its desire to acquire a significant or even controlling interest.
🚨 | Porsche will NOT join the F1 grid in 2026 as previously rumoured. It is believed the German manufacturer have ‘ended its formal evaluation of a programme’ despite the project of a Formula 1 outfit still ‘being of interest’ to the team #F1 #Formula1 [@wearetherace] pic.twitter.com/gNCd5d0zj9
— The Purple Sector (@purpsectorf1) March 22, 2023
What next for Porsche?
As a result, Porsche’s chances of joining the 2026 Formula 1 grid appeared grim, and The Race reports that the company has now shifted its focus to its current motorsport initiatives instead.
Porsche’s current plans involve participating in the Formula E championship as a works team and making a notable comeback in the top tier of the Le Mans 24 Hours through the 963 Hypercar project.
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Although Porsche remains interested in Formula 1, it has no immediate plans to join the championship or collaborate with any team. This represents the end of Formula 1’s most promising opportunity to welcome Porsche back to the sport since its ill-fated alliance with Footwork in 1991.
While discontinuing the formal assessment of a Formula 1 entry does not entirely rule out the possibility of seeking a partner team later on, it is doubtful that the timing will be as favorable as it appeared for 2026.
The sport will have new vehicle regulations and a new engine for the 2026 season, without the complicated and intimidating MGU-H component. This could give new entrants a better opportunity to challenge established teams and engine manufacturers.
Porsche’s decision to enter Formula 1
Last year, when the first announcement was made about the attempt to enter Formula 1, the then-CEO of Volkswagen, Herbert Diess, stated that those factors made it likely that it would be the final opportunity for a decade to participate in the championship.
“You can’t catch up on that when you join a new team,” said Diess. “You need five or 10 years to be among the front runners. In other words, you can only get on board if you have a major rule change.”
“That means you can decide now to do Formula 1 – or then probably not again for 10 years.”
Porsche’s discussions with Red Bull were the company’s most notable endeavor to join the Formula 1 grid. As part of the initiative, Porsche arranged to purchase a 50% stake in the firm responsible for designing and producing Red Bull Racing’s vehicles, in addition to securing its own engine supply.
Red Bull has created a new Powertrains division with the objective of creating its first-ever in-house Formula 1 engine.
Audi’s Full Work Entry
Volkswagen has accomplished a significant portion of its goal as Audi will have a complete works entry starting in 2026.
As of January this year, Volkswagen owns a 25% stake in Sauber, which will progressively increase to 75%, while Finn Rausing, the current majority owner, will maintain a minority interest once the transaction is finished.
This process will be gradual because Sauber currently competes as Alfa Romeo in Formula 1, owing to a sponsorship agreement with the Italian brand, and is utilizing Ferrari engines until the conclusion of the 2025 season.
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