$58 billion worth luxury car manufacturer remains ‘interested’ in joining F1 despite Red Bull rejection

Porsche had failed to partner with Red Bull after failed negotiations over team ownership.

$58 billion worth luxury car manufacturer remains ‘interested’ in joining F1 despite Red Bull rejection

Max Verstappen (Via IMAGO) Fantasy Porsche F1 car (Via Autosport)

German auto giant Porsche had announced its intentions to join Formula 1 in 2026 as a power unit supplier. The iconic carmaker had conducted discussions with Red Bull over a partnership. However, the Austrian team was unhappy with Porsche’s demands to acquire a 50% stake in this project. Subsequently, talks broke down with Milton Keynes tieing up with Ford instead. Now, Porsche’s Director of Motorsport, Michael Dreiser has claimed that the carmaker is open to an F1 project in the future.

Dreiser highlighted Porsche’s racing legacy, the carmaker is known for its enormous motorsport success over the years. Moreover, the Motorsport Director made it clear that the German automaker was still intrigued by Formula 1 as a racing series. F1’s popularity has grown in recent years which in turn has increased the commercial viability of the sport.

Motorsport will always be at the core of our brand identity. Formula 1 remains an interesting racing series for us.
Michael Dreiser told BlackBook Motorsport
YouTube video

However, for now, Michael Dreiser made it clear that Porsche remains fully focused on its current projects. The carmaker is involved in Formula E and the World Endurance Championship as well as the American IMSA series. Dreiser affirmed that the auto giant wanted to ensure success in its present activities and was not going to comment on any speculation over other potential opportunities.

FS Video
For the next few years, we are concentrating on the current factory programmes... There, we want to fight for overall victories. That is our tradition and our main focus, and we do not comment on speculation beyond that.

Audi to be the sole Volkswagen brand in F1 after Porsche’s failed attempt

The Volkswagen group had announced that Audi and Porsche would be entering Formula 1 with the 2026 regulations. The former decided to build an in-house power units division and acquire a majority stake in Sauber Motorsport to mark its entry. On the other hand, Porsche’s failed attempt with Red Bull left it without options for a commitment to F1.

The concept Audi F1 car
The concept Audi F1 car (via IMAGO)

Subsequently, Audi would be the sole brand carrying the flag for the German car conglomerate in 2026. However, rumors had emerged that Audi could follow Porsche and scrap its F1 project even before hitting the track. However, the Sauber-run Stake F1 team has made it clear that things remain on track.

Certainly, Audi will have to meet high expectations once it joins the grid in 2026. The carmaker needs to build a solid foundation for its power units and invest heavily in the long term in Sauber. However, if Audi succeeds in its efforts, Porsche might be influenced to find its way to the pinnacle of motorsport in the future.

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