German car manufacturer Porsche has announced that it will no longer be pursuing a venture into the world of Formula 1. This decision comes after two years of discussions with Red Bull fell through. Thomas Laudenbach, Porsche’s Head of Motorsport, revealed that the company has shifted its focus away from F1 and is content with its current endeavors. This marks the first time Porsche has publicly addressed the topic since the introduction of the 2026 regulations. Laudenbach stated that Formula 1 is no longer a consideration for Porsche and that they are fully dedicated to their current activities, which include customer racing, GT racing, endurance racing, and Formula E.
Furthermore, he confirmed that Porsche has no intention of becoming an engine supplier for IndyCar. Although Porsche will not be joining the Formula 1 grid in the foreseeable future, its parent company Volkswagen will be represented by Audi. Audi recently completed the acquisition of Sauber and will take over the team’s operations from 2026. Nico Hulkenberg has been confirmed as the team’s first driver, and they are currently in search of a long-term agreement for their second seat. Additionally, it has been announced that Jonathan Wheatley, the sporting director of Red Bull, will serve as Team Principal under the leadership of Mattia Binotto, who was appointed earlier this year. Binotto replaced Andreas Seidl, formerly of McLaren, and Audi executive Oliver Hoffmann.
Photo from Porsche Instagram