Porsche has been considering a return to Formula 1 as an engine supplier since attending meetings of the series directors at the Italian GP in 2017.
According to a document published earlier this week by the Morocco Conseil de la Concurrence – the national government that registers applications that are subject to mandatory publication once approved – Porsche is very close to buying 50% of Red Bull Technology.
That would obviously confirm rumors of a partnership between the two brands, with Porsche supplying engines to Red Bull from 2026, as well as providing a partial investment to the racing team.
At the time, there was speculation that the deal between Porsche and Red Bull, estimated at 10 years, would be announced at the energy drink team’s home race, the Austrian GP earlier this month. However, according to the Moroccan document, the date for this association to be made public is August 4.
However, team principal Horner said there was still a “long process” ahead of him after the FIA delayed an official announcement of the exact specifications of the power unit regulations for 2026.
It is believed that the arrival of Porsche and Audi in F1 will be influenced by the elimination of the MGU-H , a greater reliance on sustainable fuels and a realignment significant enough to allow them to be competitive from the start.
Horner said: “There are some important details that we need to see first before things can progress properly.”
“That is mainly focused on what the final technical, sporting and financial regulations are going to be for the power units.”
“Are they going to be fair and equitable for the newcomers versus the current riders? That’s the first piece of the puzzle that needs to be figured out,” explained the Red Bull rider.
“I am aware that the FIA is working hard on it. I hope that in the coming weeks we can have more details about it,” he continued. “At that point, we will be able to talk to the Porsche guys again, it’s going to be quite a long process I guess.”
“The bottom line is, what are those engine rules for 2026, are they attractive enough for a brand like Porsche or Audi to get into Formula 1?” he asked.
Horner also stressed the need for Porsche to adapt to the “Red Bull philosophy”, adding that this would be “essential to continue any discussion”. As part of the “DNA” of the Austrian team, those from Milton Keynes are looking for a long-term commitment from Porsche.
“Right now we are in a discussion phase, and there are many details pending in the rules,” he said. “Red Bull has shown its commitment to Formula 1 through its longevity in the category. Everything we study we do with long-term thinking, we are not looking for a short-term solution.”
Furthermore, the Briton explained that Red Bull Powertrains, with a ‘Rindt’ factory built in 55 weeks, is “about to switch on” its first proprietary power unit.
Helmut Marko also spoke about it: “I do not hide the fact that we have been negotiating with Porsche, but no decision has been made yet. There is still no final regulation for the engines in 2026, there is no agreement on how much money they will be allowed. spend at the start, there is also no full understanding of how much synthetic fuel will be used.
“That is why we cannot confirm anything until the rules are confirmed. Also, do not forget that there are also Ferrari and Mercedes, who are opposed to giving advantages to a newcomer,” he concluded.
Do you want to read our news before anyone else and for free? Follow us here on our Telegram channel and you won’t miss a thing. All the information, at your fingertips!
