Porsche appears more positive about the idea of returning to Formula 1 as an engine supplier in 2021, following more talks over the engine that shall be introduced at the end of the current Concorde Agreement.
The German manufacturer has been linked with an F1 project alongside their future entry in Formula E, which they will do from season six, a move that came at the expense of their LMP1 program in the WEC.
A Porsche comeback would also signify a return for their parent company Volkswagen, with their Motorsport boss Bernhard Gobemeier recently revealing the staff from their WEC operation are working on a new high-efficiency racing engine but wouldn’t reveal what that engine was for.
In the same comments he made to Auto Sport und Motor and we reported, Gobemeier was very critical of the state of F1 and what he saw as a “dangerous path” it was heading on due to out of control spending.
And, talking to Motorsport.com after the latest meetings in regards to 2021, Porsche’s Financial Chief Luts Metschke admitted cost would be a major factor in the company’s final decision.
“Absolutely. We have to cut costs in F1 and it’s a good way to reach this target,” he said referring to the plan for a cheaper, simpler engine.
When weighing up how likely it was Porsche would give an F1 project the green light, he added: “F1 could be one of the right places.
“As you know Formula E is very important for us now, and F1 is always a good topic to think about. I think we are in quite good discussions regarding the new engine.”
Porsche is just one of several names reportedly interested in joining the F1 grid if the new engine rules are to their liking with Cosworth already poised to join and Aston Martin also touted.
