After months of speculation, the curtain has finally fallen on Porsche’s Formula 1 ambitions. Motorsport boss Thomas Laudenbach confirmed that the brand’s long-awaited entry into the sport is no longer happening, officially calling it a “closed chapter” after the collapse of its proposed partnership with Red Bull.
It is off the table. Right now, F1 is not a task for us and we are not spending any energy on that,” Laudenbach explained. Instead, Porsche’s focus remains firmly on its current motorsport commitments, which range from customer racing and GT competitions to high‑stakes battles in the World Endurance Championship and IMSA SportsCar Championship with partner Penske. “We are only focused on what we do right now, and if you look at it, we have many different activities: we are well‑occupied and extremely happy with what we do,” he added.
The decision follows years of quiet buildup, including a 2022 filing with Morocco’s Competition Council that revealed Porsche was preparing to acquire a 50% stake in Red Bull Technology. What seemed like a perfect match on paper ultimately fell apart within twelve months. “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,” Porsche stated in a joint statement with Red Bull.
What made the collapse even more remarkable was its timing. Fans were expecting official news of the partnership shortly after the FIA approved the new engine regulations set for 2026. Instead, rumours of disagreements started to circulate, eventually confirming that the deal was dead before it ever truly began.
Meanwhile, rival brand Audi has pressed ahead decisively, securing a 2026 entry with a full takeover of the Sauber team. The move only heightens the contrast, leaving many to wonder what might have been if Porsche and Red Bull had found common ground.
For now, Porsche is investing more in other areas, including its expanding presence in Formula E — the only fully electric series at the top level — which shows the brand’s broader commitment to electrification. Laudenbach made it clear: Porsche may have ended its Formula 1 chapter, but its motorsport ambitions are far from finished.
