Porsche abandoning 2026 F1 entry pursuit – Report

Porsche failed to agree a deal with Red Bull last summer. Now, it seems Porsche has stopped their pursuit of a 2026 F1 entry altogether.

Porsche abandoning 2026 F1 entry pursuit – Report

Porsche

Formula 1 has become ‘hot property’ since the announcement of the 2026 regulations. The engines of that year will utilize 100% sustainable fuels and three times as much electrical power as the current ones. This meant that many large manufacturers and other big names have taken an interest in the sport. Audi has been successful in this, as they will take over Sauber. Andretti is currently pursuing one as well. Porsche, too, was interested, but it doesn’t seem to be going anywhere.

Porsche is one of the most esteemed names in the luxury car business, as well as in motorsport. The German manufacturer has been extremely successful in the World Sportscar Championship and the 24 Hours of Le Mans. However, the last time it was involved in F1 in any capacity was back in 1991 when the Footwork team used its engines for six races. So, when news came that Porsche was looking to partner with Red Bull, there was great excitement.

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But for one reason or another, the deal fell through. Porsche wanted to be an equal partner; Red Bull weren’t interested in giving up so much control. According to Porsche’s CEO, Oliver Blume, the deal was agreed upon with a ‘handshake’ but fell through at the last moment. Christian Horner disputed that, feeling that the German manufacturer were getting ahead of themselves. Horner further felt Red Bull were in good shape.

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Now, of course, they’ve agreed on an engine deal with Ford – who will provide financial and technical input for the RBPT-manufactured engine that Red Bull will utilize in 2026. In return, the engines will be badged as ‘Ford’. As for Porsche, according to The Race, they will not pursue an entry, or affiliation with another team, at least in the ‘medium-term’, which means a 2026 entry is off.

Read More: Christian Horner explains why Red Bull chose Ford over Porsche

Porsche will focus on its existing motorsport programmes for now

The Footwork-Porsche FA12
The Footwork-Porsche FA12

It seems the stumbling block for Porsche, in its deal with Red Bull, and apparently, with McLaren, was the fact that it wanted to buy a significant or even a controlling stake. However, this approach seems to have gone okay for the Volkswagen Group sister company, Audi, who will gradually take over Sauber. Sauber’s co-owner Finn Rausing will still retain a minority stake at the end.

After the Red Bull talks fell through, Porsche decided to “chase a stake” in an existing team, as it lacks the necessary infrastructure to pursue a solo engine project. This hasn’t worked out either. The report also understands that any Porsche engine deal, following the collapse of the Red Bull talks, would likely have been limited to it ‘badging’ an engine of their VW-group sister company, Audi.

The FIA’s ‘expressions of interest’ process, through which two separate teams could make an entry onto the F1 grid, also would not work due to the cost and infrastructure required. So, at least for 2026, it seems that Porsche’s plans have been spoiled. Many fans would still hope to see the German manufacturer in the sport one day, but they’ve missed their chance for a good while. So for now, Porsche will focus on its existing motorsport programmes.

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