Although there is no official press release announcing that the long-awaited partnership between the German carmaker and the Milton Keynes -based F1 team is underway, formal processes have been launched to ensure the union is not affected.
One of the hurdles to overcome was a green light from anti-cartel authorities around the world to ensure that there was nothing inappropriate about the merger of the two companies.
In addition to having to do it in the European Union , you also had to apply in more than 20 countries outside the body.
One of these was Morocco , whose government legislation stipulates that applications are subject to compulsory publication once approved.
The process to get the green light has required Porsche and Red Bull to reveal the details of their union, which have been published in Morocco by the Conseil de la Concurrence .
The document reveals that Porsche notified the Conseil on July 8 that it will enter into a 10-year partnership with Red Bull, which includes a 50% stake in its Formula 1 programme.
And it suggests that the partnership will be formally announced on August 4.
This week’s notification mentioned only the purchase of 50% of Red Bull Technology, but it is assumed that the partnership will also extend to the F1 team’s business.
The disclosure of the details by the authorities, even before the announcement has been made public, has been prompted in part by Porsche’s delay in confirming its return to F1.
The original plan was for their partnership to be announced at the Austrian Grand Prix three weeks ago.
However, that idea was shelved because the FIA World Motor Sport Council failed to approve the engine regulations for 2026, as announced on June 29. The final engine regulations are a prerequisite for Porsche to officially announce its entry into Formula 1.
Although the Moroccan document only mentions Red Bull, its sister team AlphaTauri will also, in all likelihood, compete with the Porsche power unit; since anything else would be illogical in the face of the synergies being sought between Red Bull and AlphaTauri.
However, the Faenza -based team will remain 100% in the hands of Red Bull.
The second brand of the Volkswagen Group, Audi , whose entry into Formula 1 has already been approved by all the necessary bodies, is not yet as advanced in its project as Porsche.
Motorsport.com has learned that the Ingolstadt company is still in talks with Sauber owner Finn Rausing over the acquisition of 75% of the team’s shares.
The Supervisory Board of the Volkswagen Group had already given the green light to the entry of Porsche and Audi in Formula 1 on April 7, 2022, and approved the corresponding budgets after all the boards of directors of the two brands previously gave their approval. consent.
Doubts arose recently because Volkswagen Group CEO Herbert Diess announced his resignation on July 22.
However, Diess will be replaced on September 1 by Porsche AG CEO Oliver Blume , who was already a leading supporter of the Formula 1 program at Porsche.
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