Porsche Drops Out of 2026 F1 Entry.
The German manufacturer could not reach an agreement with Red Bull and McLaren.
2026 is going to be a big year for Formula 1. Engine Regulation changes will bring sustainable fuels, and more importantly, an even bigger reliance on electrical components.This means that, in theory, the playing field will be leveled.
The aforementioned changes sparked the interest of newcomers to the sport. The FIA received so many inquiries about this that they released a communiqué with the ‘Submission Request’ procedure, in case a new team decides to join the sport.
The process to join is quite complex, and requires a lot of information from whoever is submitting it. Despite this, a huge company like Porsche or Audi will have absolutely zero problem navigating through it. Both manufacturers have been competing in Formula E for a few years now. All this experience gained in electrical motors will definitely help implement them in Formula 1.
It’s better to join a team with momentum.
Starting from scratch is not always the best idea, especially for huge names like Porsche or Audi, both brands owned by Volkswagen Group. They are expected to perform from the get-go by investors and interested parties. That is why both of these teams opted to buy a significant amount of stake from already established teams.
Audi, for example, struck a deal with Sauber Group (Alfa Romeo) for 25% of stake on January 2023, and will keep acquiring stake until they reach a 75% majority before the 2026 season starts. Sauber on the other hand, will keep the remaining 25%.
Sadly, for some, it means that Alfa Romeo will leave the championship. Actually, the deal ends in 2023, so it looks like the team will be looking for a title sponsor for the 2024 and 2025 seasons, before Audi takes over. Engine-wise, Sauber will still run with Ferrari until 2025.
Big names like to stay that way.
Porsche, on the other hand, had a worse fate. On September 2022, they could not reach a 50% stake agreement with Red Bull. The team from Milton Keynes preferred to make a deal with Ford, for technical support for its powertrain development. Apparently, Red Bull as a group did not like the fact that Porsche wanted 50% control. The energy drink brand is a proud one, and they like having an absolute majority on the board; they like to call the shots.
Porsche’s blow was quite big. They went to McLaren to try and salvage something. Exploratory talks began but stayed there. No further progress was made, so the discussions dropped. McLaren is another brand that likes to keep its identity, and apparently Porsche as a team wants something beyond making powertrains, but lacks the experience to dive into Formula 1 on their own. They need to gradually learn the ropes before establishing themselves as a truly independent team.
Formula 1 is still attractive
The failure to strike a deal with either team means that Porsche’s plan to join F1 in 2026 has failed. They will retreat and strategize in the meantime. For the near future, there is no chance that the German automaker will join Formula 1, despite this, they will still keep an eye on the series.
Porsche will keep monitoring what happens in the sport and see if they can probably join at an ideal time. Unfortunately, 2026 was the best chance they could have gotten, but who knows what the future holds. It is a matter of time before a big name like Porsche joins the pinnacle of Motorsports.
On the meantime, they will keep on categories like Le Mans, DTM, and Formula E, to mention some. It is a big opportunity missed, but Volkswagen Group still managed to put one of its brands in Formula 1. It will be a good way to survey the land before committing 100% to the cause.
What are your thoughts on the broken deal with Porsche and Red Bull? Did they really have a chance with McLaren?
Let me know in the comments below.
Happy racing.
