Porsche and Red Bull have ended talks over a potential Formula 1 partnership in 2026.
The German brand was poised to tie up with the new Powertrains division at the Milton Keynes-based team for the recently confirmed new regulations to be introduced in four years time.
Instead, an announcement on Friday concludes an incredible turnaround in the story, after it appeared a deal was largely done between the two parties just a month or so ago.
In fact, documents submitted to the Moroccan anti-trust governmental agency showed a 10-year agreement was in the works with Porsche set to buy a 50% stake in Red Bull Technologies, the division that includes all F1 operations.
However, disagreements over control emerged with Christian Horner and Helmut Marko against the idea of Porsche becoming a shareholder in the team.
“The team is the biggest marketing asset globally for Red Bull – why would we compromise that strategically for the long term?” the Red Bull team boss said last weekend.
“For 2026, we’re fully committed. We’ve recruited some of the best talent in Formula 1 within Red Bull Powertrains, we’ve created a factory within 55 weeks, with fully commissioned dynos, we’ve built our first prototype engine for 2026 and run that prior to the summer break.
“We’re on a really exciting trajectory that isn’t dependent on outside involvement or investment if there’s strategically the right partner.”
Porsche though will not be that partner.
“In the course of the last few months, Porsche AG and Red Bull GmbH have held talks on the possibility of Porsche’s entry into Formula 1,” a statement read.
“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.”
Just a few weeks after another Volkswagen-owned brand in Audi announced its F1 entry for 2026 though, Porsche hasn’t ruled out looking at other routes to join the grid.
“With the finalised rule changes, the racing series nevertheless remains an attractive environment for Porsche, which will continue to be monitored.”
F1 boss Stefano Domenicali notes other manufacturers are also interested in an entry, with Red Bull’s former partner Honda potentially among them.
