Red Bull boss Christian Horner believes that the collapse of the deal between Red Bull and Porsche won’t hurt the Milton Keynes based outfit.
Both sides were in talks for months for a potential deal between the duo for the 2026 season. Seeing the new regulations of 2026, Porsche sighting a deal with Red Bull to enter F1. Reports indicate that the German manufacturer was demanding a 50% stake in the Austrian team.
However, the deal was called off just before the 2022 Italian Grand Prix.
Horner told reporters at the Italian Grand Prix that Porsche maybe “were slightly getting a little bit ahead of themselves” and no binding commitment was ever signed.
“Obviously as we’ve been on this journey there’s been some discussion with Porsche along the way – a phenomenal company, great brand,”
explained Horner to Sky Sports F1.
“But it was felt that the fit just isn’t quite right for where we’re going and the journey we’re on.”
He added:
“We are a race team fundamentally and that enables us to make quick decisions and react very quickly. I think we’ve seen on so many occasions manufacturers have been less autonomous in their decision-making.”
“That was a key aspect of protecting what we have and how we operate, which has proved to be reasonably successful.”
The new powertrains department will help Red Bull prepare for 2026
Red Bull has set up their own powertrains department at a new factory in Milton Keynes in the UK. They are employing 300 people with more recruits coming soon.
In the end, the facility could provide power units to 4 teams for 2026 regulations change. Although for now, there are only two teams that is Red Bull and its sister team AlphaTauri.
“Our strategy to have engine and chassis all under one roof in one campus remains absolutely unchanged,”
said Horner.
“At no point was this dependent on the involvement of an investor or a manufacturer or an OEM.”
Red Bull is currently using a Honda engine assembled in Japan under the extended agreement between the two parties.
Porsche deal collapse is not that of a disadvantage for Red Bull – Horner
Audi – Porsche’s sister brand has already announced its entry into the pinnacle of motorsports. Porsche is also a reputable brand and can bring new prospects to the sport.
Nevertheless, when asked what Red Bull was looking for in the deal with Porsche, Christian Horner replied:
“it was a case of what can they potentially bring to the party that we didn’t have access to?
“Having done our due diligence we felt that actually we were in good shape, and with the recruitment that we’ve made technically we don’t feel at any real disadvantage to our competitors,” he added.
“We’re in a position with our recruitment and investment in the facility to do all aspects of the power unit.
“We’re pushing ahead and we’re not contingent or dependent on other potential partnerships.”
Red Bull-powered first powertrain project is moving at a really good pace with Red Bull almost sure of winning both the championships in the 2022 season now.
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