Red Bull Porsche Racing in Formula 1 — Is it Really Happening?
F1 is Now More Interesting for Porsche
“From what I know now, the FIA has made a huge step in that direction.” Laudenbach continued. “In order to control costs, we would like to see more standard parts in the engine and to increase the freedom of the electric part. “There is already a cost cap at work, so all of these factors make it far more interesting for us than in the past. “But we also want a separate cost ceiling for the different units.”
Should Porsche indeed return to Formula 1, how that will play out remains to be seen. McLaren, Williams and Red Bull are all mooted as plausible partners, with Red Bull the favorite. Especially considering engine partner Honda’s withdrawal last year. It has established Red Bull Powertrains as its own engine department with Honda’s support in the medium term. Having poached several high-ranking F1 engineers from its F1 rivals.
Red Bull is a dominant Formula 1 force. It finally broke Mercedes’ stranglehold to win the 2021 F1 Driver’s Championship with Max Verstappen. Its Adrian Newey designed chassis is widely regarded as the best in F1. All highly attractive to Porsche, which would clearly benefit picking up a F1 powertrain expertise and IP head start. And likely see the Stuttgart engine supplier competitive from the outset in F1.
Red Bull Porsche F1 — a Mutually Beneficial Relationship?
Red Bull, which also owns the AlphaTauri F1 team, would also benefit the prestige of a Porsche relationship. The Red Bull Porsche Racing idea is nothing new. Team boss Helmut Marko has a friendly relationship with Porsche supervisory board chair Wolfgang Porsche, who also happens to be a member of the VW supervisory board. The pair were in advanced talks around the time of Red Bull’s Renault divorce. Those plans were scuppered by VW’s dieselgate scandal.
Marko pulls no punches on the prospect: “Should the Volkswagen Group decide to enter Formula 1, we would be the first port of call,” he maintains.
Porsche recently committed to a Le Mans, World Endurance and IMSA project with a new LMDh car in conjunction with Penske Racing. It also remains in Formula E, despite not yet winning a race after two years in the electric race series. And in the wake of Audi and BMW’s recent, and Mercedes’ future departure. “If we have a decision on F1, it will have an influence on other programs,” Thomas Laudenbach concluded.
That big VW Group decision to enter Formula 1 with Porsche, Audi or even both brands is widely tipped to be made in March.
Rendering: Michele Lupini; Photos: Porsche, Red Bull