After the Dutch Grand Prix, reports emerged that several decisions were made by Red Bull Racing’s management last weekend in Zandvoort. The deal with Porsche for 2026 is already said to be ‘cracked’ due to disagreements over who would control the team after a 50 percent buy-out.
Helmut Marko, a former Porsche factory racer, clarified this to an Austrian newspaper: “There was never a deal or a legally binding agreement, so there was nothing to crack. We are the most attractive bride, but we are not necessarily looking to get married. We couldn’t agree. We will not sell shares to Porsche. After all, we are not the Porsche Supercup.”
It seems Red Bull is now planning to go ahead with its own Red Bull Powertrains project for 2026. The question is now whether Porsche will bury its aspirations for a return to F1 or just let it sleep for a while. In the sixties, Porsche had little success in F1, with just one victory for Dan Gurney in the French GP in 1962 in a Porsche 804 F1. Later it returned as an engine supplier for the McLaren Team with the TAG Porsche engine, designed by Hans Mezger. That was more successful, and it looked for a while as if Porsche would give it another go with Red Bull.
However, the official announcement by Porsche is clear. And only they know what the future will bring.
The official Porsche press release underneath
“In the course of the last few months, Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG and Red Bull GmbH have held talks on the possibility of Porsche’s entry into Formula 1. The two companies have now jointly come to the conclusion that these talks will no longer be continued. 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. With the finalised rule changes, the racing series nevertheless remains an attractive environment for Porsche, which will continue to be monitored.”
Source : Edited Porsche factory news
