Porsche Will Not Be Part of Formula 1 in 2026

After months of speculation and near-deals, it now seems that Porsche will not be part of Formula 1 in 2026 and will focus on Formula E.

Porsche and racing go hang and hand. The Porsche reputation was built on motorsport. And the top of the motorsport mountain is Formula 1. And over the past year it seemed like Porsche was poised to make a return to Formula 1 in 2026. However, The Race is now reporting that Porsche will instead focus on Formula E and in the top class of Le Mans. Those are exciting race events for sure, but they are not Formula 1. Porsche remains interested in Formula 1 but there does not appear to be a feasible way for them to join the series in 2026 as was previously hoped.

The last time Porsche had any involvement on the Formula 1 grid was in 1991 with a collaboration with Footwork. Back then the Porsche-powered car was not competitive. The car was not quick or reliable. It was not the type of racing result that you would expect from Porsche. Many were eager to see the company back on the grid in 2026 to help erase those bad Formula 1 memories. Sadly, for Porsche fans those images from 1991 are going to stick with us a bit longer.

What Happened?

VW group was planning on entering both their Audi and Porsche brands in the sport under the new regulations in 2026. Audi committed to building their own engine and purchased stake in the Sauber team. Porsche was looking to collaborate with Red Bull. A deal seemed imminent but then talks broke down. Porsche then struck up conversations with the McLaren team. But they had the same concerns as Red Bull. The concern was mainly over the large stake in the team that Porsche wanted. It now seems the formal evaluation of Porsche entering Formula 1 in 2026 is over.

Best Shot in 2026

Why was Porsche focused on a 2026 return? There will be new rules and regulations going into effect in 2026. New engines will be coming in 2026 and the complicated MGU-H unit will not be part of the new design. This clean slate will make it easier for newcomers to take on the established teams as everyone will be starting on the ground floor. VW CEO Herbert Diess said those factors meant it was probably the last chance for a decade to join the grid. “You can’t catch up on that when you join a new team,” said Diess. “You need five or 10 years to be among the front runners. In other words, you can only get onboard if you have a major rule change.”

Other Options

If Porsche can’t find a partner. Which at this point it seems it cannot. They could start their own team from the ground up. The FIA is opening a process for up to two new teams to join Formula 1 from 2025. But the cost of doing so and the amount of infrastructure required does not make sense for Porsche. So, sadly for Porsche fans all over the world, the brand will not be part of Formula 1 anytime soon.

Images: Porsche; Red Bull

Join the Rennlist forums!

Joe Kucinski

Joe has been obsessed with cars since he got his very first Matchbox toy in the ‘70s. In 2003, he found a new obsession in track days that led to obtaining his SCCA competition license in 2015. In 2019, he became a certified driving instructor for the National Auto Sport Association. His love for all things four wheels has never wavered, whether it's driving some of the best cars in the world on the racetrack, tackling 2,000-mile road trips in 2-seat sports cars or being winched off the side of a mountaintop in a Jeep. Writing for the suite of Internet Brands Auto Communities sites, including Rennlist.com, Ford Truck Enthusiasts, 6 Speed and more allows him to share that knowledge and passion with others.