Porsche + Formula 1: What’s Next?

Do Porsche and Audi’s Formula 1 prospects include Williams?

Porsche’s big Formula 1 story has gone to ground amid much intrigue. Scratch a little and it’s clear that it’s still happening. Not just for Porsche + Audi andFormula 1, but for Williams too.

While it remains moot on the subject, Porsche suits suggest its Formula 1 door is still ajar. Something the FIA and Formula 1 management are certainly not shy to help keep wide open. Porsche’s biggest F1 challenge however hinges around the timing of its pans.

Porsche is 18 Months Behind to Compete in ‘26

The scuttled Red Bull deal made so much sense because it came with the cooldrink maker’s own engine infrastructure. With that out the window, Zufferhausen is said to be a year and a half behind for its greenfields F1 power unit to be competitive, come 2026.

The required power unit infrastructure does not just pop up overnight. Not least in a world still reeling from lockdown, Ukraine, the chip crisis and more. That’s where Porsche’s VW Group kissing cousin Audi’s 2026 F1 comes in.

Albeit by barely six months, Audi (above) is ahead on F1 power unit development. In other words, a year late compete in ‘26. All of which may very well prompt the sister brands to rather co-develop a F1 power unit, before later splitting and going their own way.

Porsche + Audi Would Be Nothing New

Another school of thought however suggests that Porsche would be too proud to share its F1 tech with Audi. In truth, far from the hindrance some make it out to be, Audi’ F1 plan could well be the silver bullet that Porsche needs to get its grand prix plans soundly on track.

Yet Porsche + Audi have cooperated since Porsche first designed the original 1930s Grand Prix Silver Arrow Auto Unions (below). Never mind the ‘70s Porsche + Audi Can Am 917Ks (above). Or the very roots of Audi’s RS quattos.

Double the budget, double the resources, and double the brains will fast track both brand power unit plans in a fraction of the time needed. Unless this new that Audi-Porsche angst all of a sudden trumps 90 years of Porsche + Audi alliance. Fake news, perhaps?

Porsche + Williams a Matter of Time?

Moving on, who does Porsche now team up with in F1? Some even suggest a shock Red Bull make-up, since that new boss Oliver Mintzlaff has closer Zufferhausen ties. Joining Aston Martin is another prospect since they iced their own engine project. But they’re still day job rivals

McLaren said no. Sauber has already signed with Audi. And some say Haas is less likely than tomorrow morning’s sun. Which leaves Williams.

The Grove team has Mercedes engines through to end 2025 and deep VW Group ties. Run by former multi-WRC winning VW Motorsport team principal Jost Capito, technical director Francois-Xavier Demaison and sporting director Sven Smeets (below) are also ex VW rally men.

Williams Won’t Come Cheap

Williams won’t come cheap though. Owners, Dorilton reckon the team is not even for sale. You’d also stall with Zufferhausen incoming bearing gazillion Porschemarks. All of which leaves much room for intrigue.

What will come of Porsche, Williams, and Audi’s collective Formula 1 plans? Watch this space. Whatever goes down, it must happen, soon!