Porsche announced on Friday that its plans to enter the 2026 Formula 1 season as a partner of Red Bull had ended because negotiations failed to come to fruition. The energy drinks team has always wanted to keep control of the team, and they seemed uncomfortable with the idea of the Stuttgart firm taking over the management of operations in motorsport’s top flight.
Milton Keynes outfit boss Christian Horner told Motorsport.com after talks broke down that the two sides had “quite a different DNA”. Red Bull already has its own power unit factory, so it doesn’t depend on any motorist to work, but the plan was to collaborate with Porsche in 2026.
Team adviser Helmut Marko said that although Red Bull Powertrains could operate independently, there was already more interest from other manufacturers: “We don’t need anyone at the moment, but if it turns out that some interested parties come with advantages, we are open”.
“Surprisingly, we have received some inquiries now with the official break with Porsche,” one of the most important members of the team that is still linked to Honda continued in OE3 .
Red Bull was with the Japanese until the end of the 2021 season, when those from the country of the Rising Sun announced their departure from the category, but they have maintained a technical union that will remain in force until 2025.
Honda has not closed the door on a possible comeback with the introduction of the new engine regulations, and Marko confirmed that they were looking into the possibilities: “We are talking to Honda.”
In the statement released by Porsche , the German marque said any partnership “would be based on equality, which would include not only engine collaboration, but also team collaboration” and “that could not be achieved” with Red Bull.
The advisor to the whole of Milton Keynes explained how it became clear in the talks that both sides were not in agreement, and that this led to the decision to end the negotiations.
“In the course of the discussions, they made it clear that for the overall project, such cooperation would not have brought any advantage to any of the parties,” he said. “The efficiency of Red Bull Racing was paramount, for the team to be as successful as it has been for the last 10 or 12 years, for that to continue.”
“We are in a good position, we have the fastest driver until 2028, Adrian Newey, the best designer,” said Marko . “We have an engine factory that has been fully operational in 55 weeks, the first engine has already fired, and that means we are self-sufficient.”
“However, if technical knowledge can be contributed in the motor sector, or if synergies or advantages can be achieved, we are open to cooperation,” concluded the Red Bull adviser.
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