√Porsche quits Formula One – before even getting started with Red Bull Racing

The Porsche plan to partner Red Bull Racing in Formula One has floundered over a culture clash, leaving Audi to represent the Volkswagen Group – for now.

Porsche has cut ties to Red Bull Racing and killed its plan to partner with the world champions in Formula One.

Negotiations between the German sports car maker and the Austrian-owned Grand Prix team have reportedly floundered over potential conflicts in their cultures, despite advanced plans for Porsche to take a major stake in the team and provide engines from 2026.

Porsche’s parent – the giant Volkswagen Group – will still be involved in Formula One, as Audi is entering Grand Prix racing and replacing Alfa Romeo at the Swiss-based Sauber team, with its own German-made engine program for the new regulations from 2026.

There is also a slim chance Porsche could develop a new plan with a different team – with pit-lane rumours linking it to McLaren or a new entry to Formula One with Michael Andretti, a champion American racer and successful IndyCar team owner in the USA.

News of the split between Porsche and Red Bull Racing came just ahead of the Italian Grand Prix at Monza, with a short statement from the car maker.

“In the course of the last few months, Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG [the full and official name of the Porsche company] and Red Bull GmbH have held talks on the possibility of Porsche’s entry into Formula One. The two companies have now jointly come to the conclusion that these talks will no longer be continued,” Porsche said in its official announcement.

The tie-up between Porsche and Red Bull Racing had been considered a done deal since July, with the company even taking a trademark on the ‘F1nally’ name for use as part of its launch program, and for marketing and public relations work.

“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,” the Porsche statement continued.

On the other side, Red Bull Racing – run by Christian Horner and Dr Helmut Marko, the motorsport advisor for the energy drinks company’s owner, Dietrich Mateschitz – was not happy with the Porsche plan.

“Porsche is a great brand. But the DNA is quite different. During the discussion process it became clear that there was a strategic non-alignment,” Horner told Motorsport.com at Monza.

He continued to detail the failure of the deal while talking to The Race.

“One of our core strengths has been our independence and our quick decision-making and lack of bureaucracy,” he said.

“We are a race team fundamentally and that enables us to make quick decisions, effective decisions, and react very quickly as a race team.

“We’ve seen on so many occasions manufacturers have been less autonomous in their decision-making. And that was a key aspect of protecting what we have and how we operate.”

Horner also said there was never a firm commitment to the Porsche deal, despite significant details – including a 50 per cent shareholding – leaking to the media.

“Big organisations, obviously they need significant planning. And I think perhaps they were slightly getting a little bit ahead of themselves,” Horner said.

“But there was never a binding commitment signed between the parties. That must have been subjective on their part.”

Despite the split, Porsche has not completely closed the door to Formula One and the final sentence of its official announcement is what has triggered the speculation about McLaren and Andretti Autosport – which has already been working on a plan to enter Formula One.

“With the finalised rule changes, the racing series nevertheless remains an attractive environment for Porsche, which will continue to be monitored,” Porsche said.

The post Porsche quits Formula One – before even getting started with Red Bull Racing appeared first on Drive.