A complicated set of circumstances may be resolved soon … or not.
For those racing fans in the Formula One community, the news of the failure of negotiations between Red Bull Racing and Porsche, in a way, was not surprising. If it is successful, the contract will begin in 2026, with the Stuttgart-based company supplying the engines for the Austrian unit.
Grandprix.com
But there was also a catch: the German car maker wanted half of the company control, something that Red Bull would not accept, and with that, the deal fell through. Another German car manufacturer, Audi, headquartered in the rival state of Bavaria in Ingolstadt, has accepted its role in Formula One from 2026, with the rumor that they will take over the Swiss Sauber unit. This was something that another German car giant BMW, could only do for a short time before switching to the less-expensive D.T.M. series.
So, what does Porsche do now? The company has many success stories in sportscar and endurance racing, but Formula One is the only thing Porsche can move up with. But if Red Bull Racing has failed, what about trying to make an engine deal with Andretti, or even in the future with Penske?
Andretti, known officially as Andretti Global F1, is still waiting for the approval (or, so far, the disapproval) of the F.I.A. These are American-based teams. Still, Andretti, as in the case with the failed negotiations with Sauber a year ago, would want complete control of the team, and with Porsche, it could mean a 50-50 offer if Andretti were able to have Porsche supply the engines.
They are the only group that can give the final nod to the team appearing as the 11th team. If it were going to happen, the only loser in this deal would be Renault, who would supply Andretti with the engines if the current agreement were to go ahead. It would be another loss for the French company, first with Fernando Alonso, Oscar Piastri, and finally, a canceled engine deal.
Regardless of the final decision, Andretti Global is still moving on to build a new factory in Fishers, Indiana, close to Indianapolis. So far, the negotiations between Porsche and Andretti have not happened, and they may never occur. However, why would Penske ever be brought into a deal?
Mario in his F1 days (courtesy F1.com)
Both Mario and Michael Andretti have been drivers in Formula One. In the 1970s, Penske had a team in Formula One with Mark Donohue at the wheel until his fatal accident at the Osserreichring in 1975. Only a year later, Northern Irishman John Watson gave the American team their first and only victory at the same circuit, which should have given Penske a considerable boost in the sport. It did not. Penske had more success in IndyCar, and with too much money lost, the company decided to abandon its Formula One program.
What does this have to do with Porsche? Next season, Penske will run a Porsche-driven car in the Hypercar division of the World Endurance Championship. If it becomes successful, there might be a chance, like so many others, to move up to the elite competition of Formula One. This could finally allow Porsche to enter the sport with a team they can divide their money with, especially if it can begin in 2026. And it would also create a rivalry with their German counterpart from Audi.
But if this can never be achieved, there is the option of supplying teams like Williams Racing or McLaren. However, this would be on the same terms as what they tried to do with Red Bull, which might make things just as challenging.
The future of Porsche in Formula One will be a mystery until a deal can be met with a team entering the sport or an existing one.
