Red Bull- Porsche F1 deal was officially called off by the German manufacturer last week after the parties failed to reach a common ground.
Porsche and Red Bull officially called off the much-speculated partnership for the 2026 F1 season after failing to reach a conclusion.
The two were linked with a possible partnership for months now. However, Red Bull was not happy with the demands Porsche put forward.
The Volkswagen-owned manufacturer was demanding a 50% stake in the team making them equal owners.
Moreover, they wanted to be in full control of the power unit they were going to supply Red Bull from 2026. Red Bull was not specifically happy with this demand having opened their own powertrain department recently.
Both parties hence call off the deal with Porsche releasing the following statement:
“The two companies have now jointly come to the conclusion that these talks will no longer be continued,”
said the Volkswagen-owned German carmaker.
“The premise was always that a partnership would be based on an equal footing, which would include not only an engine partnership but also the team. This could not be achieved.”
Red Bull are in talks with Honda – Marko
Red Bull’s team advisor Helmut Marko clarified that the team is not specifically concerned by this breakdown revealing the team is in “talks with Honda“:
“We don’t need anyone at the moment,”
he told Austrian radio station OE3.
“If it turns out that there are synergies and benefits, then we are open. Now that Porsche’s cancellation has become official, we have received some surprising enquiries.
“We are in talks with Honda,”
he revealed.
Reports indicate that Porsche is in talks with McLaren and Williams for a partnership for the 2026 season.
“Ultimately, Porsche wanted to fill or double-fill every position at Red Bull,”
said the 79-year-old.
“In other words, they wanted to control almost everything.
“Of course, it doesn’t work that way.”
It became clear as we talked that we would have become too bureaucratic and lost our flexibility as a team,”
added Marko.
“As we are now, we are in a good position,”
said the Austrian.
“We have the fastest driver until 2028. We have Adrian Newey, the best engineer. And we have an engine factory that will be fully operational within 55 weeks.
“The first engine has already fired up. That means we are completely self-sufficient.”
The Red Bull team is doing well as they are on their way to winning the constructors’ and drivers’ titles for the 2022 season.
Formula 1 is running at the highest level
Formula 1 is flourishing at the moment. The sport reaching to new audiences and hence new manufacturers and teams.
Audi has already confirmed its entry in 2026 following the regulations change. The Porsche-sister company will be joining as a powertrain supplier and is also looking for a potential deal with Sauber.
American Michael Andretti has also shown interest in joining the pinnacle of motorsports. The American-based outfit was denied entry by the F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali.
Domenicali wants to make it clear that the sport is not “afraid” of losing the interest of big companies like Porsche.
“Today, like never before, we have a mixture of teams, manufacturers and engine suppliers at the highest level,”
said Domenicali.
“If something changes, we know what to do.”
F1 is the pinnacle of motorsports, and it does not need to change for anyone. New entries like Porsche and Audi always bring new competition and prospects to the sport.
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