Conditions for Porsche to join F1 now "coming true"
Porsche's new motorsport boss says the factors required for the manufacturer to join Formula 1 are "coming true", but it cannot "wait too long" to make its final decision.
The Volkswagen Group, which owns the Porsche and Audi brands, has been involved in recent meetings with the FIA and current F1 manufacturers to discuss a potential entry from 2026, when new engines rules come into play.
Progress has been made in trying to frame new regulations to please both current teams and those outside of F1, with the MGU-H set to be abandoned as a compromise.
Discussions are still ongoing, however, with a key issue remaining about potential advantages a new manufacturer could be given to ensure they were not consigned to being uncompetitive against rivals with much more experience of the current turbo hybrids.
Porsche has been weighing up an F1 involvement for many years, and had an engine project underway for 2021 that could have converted its WEC engine for grand prix racing. However, its plans were abandoned when F1 ditched the idea of a shake-up to the rules then.
While its recent meetings have been overseen by CEO Oliver Blume, newly appointed vice-president of motorsport Thomas Laudenbach is now heavily involved in the decision-making process.
And he says the factors required in the next generation of power unit regulations for Porsche to commit to the championship are falling into place.
These namely relate to Formula 1's ability to be relevant to road car technology, with Porsche pushing for an increase in the electrified element of the turbo-hybrid set-up.
Laudenbach told select media, including Motorsport.com: "If you look into the future and you look at what car manufacturers are announcing concerning the share of electric vehicles they want to sell in the future, I think it is very important that Formula 1 does a shift towards electrification.
"Yes, it is clear you can't do such a format with a [fully] battery electric vehicle. We all know that.
"But there needs to be a much higher priority on the electric part of the powertrain. That is important. As an OEM, you want to show yourself in motorsport, it needs to be relevant to what happens on the road.
"From what I know now, the FIA made a huge step towards that direction. That's going to help."
Thomas Laudenbach, Vice President Porsche Motorsport
Photo by: Porsche Motorsport
Laudenbach pressed on the need for F1 to go further with its measures to limit spending, beyond the recently introduced cost cap, to increase the likelihood of Porsche committing.
This would help balance the cost of increasing the electric capacity of the power units, with Laudenbach suggesting to use more standardised parts in the internal combustion engine.
He continued: "It's not a secret that we are thinking about [F1]. It's not a secret we are talking to the FIA and it's not a secret that we are, let's say, seriously considering it. But there is no decision made yet.
"From what I know, a lot of things are going to the right direction concerning Formula 1 - how important is the electrification or the electric part of the powertrain.
"We would like to see more standard parts in the engine, the freedom of electric parts.
"Yes, many of the factors that I mentioned from what we know, they might be coming true."
While Laudenbach, who returns to Porsche after an eight-year stint at Audi Sport to replace Fritz Enzinger, stressed that no ultimate decision had yet been made, he reckoned that the manufacturer could not "wait too long."
He said: "One thing is clear, if such a decision is made you can't wait too long because if you want to race in 2025 you have to start at a certain time. That's where we are.
"If somebody really thinks about entering this championship as a power unit manufacturer, you should always combine that with a major change in the rules so that everybody has to make step and you're not the only one.
"It is also not a secret that if you look at PR values and fanbase and advertising value, Formula 1 is extremely good compared to other series. There is no question about it."
Related video
Why Stroll believes his "de-risked" Aston masterplan is feasible
Within five years, Aston Martin plans to challenge for the world championship. It's a goal easily stated, if somewhat more challenging to achieve. But do you want to argue with Lawrence Stroll? STUART CODLING meets the man with the plan
Why 'young Montoya' O'Ward has an eye on F1
Much of the attention in the end-of-season Abu Dhabi rookie test will be focused around the first view of emerging IndyCar star Patricio O'Ward in a Formula 1 car. McLaren boss Zak Brown is keen not to put too much pressure on the 22-year-old, but even if it leads no further, it will be a tantalising development both for F1 and IndyCar
The early signs of greatness that made Mercedes pursue Russell
George Russell’s ascent is almost complete, as he gets to become teammate to seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes in 2022. As STEWART BELL explains, although Russell has made a big splash since joining the F1 grid in 2019, Mercedes knew much earlier that it had a real star on its hands…
Why the intensity of F1 2021’s title fight plays into Red Bull’s ethos
After spending so many difficult seasons watching Mercedes clean up in Formula 1’s hybrid era, Red Bull has finally put together a package capable of fighting for the world championship. It’s therefore no surprise to see Max Verstappen and his team attacking with zero compromise in pursuit of glory.
When F1’s underrated free spirit Piquet stood up to Ecclestone
Nelson Piquet loved racing, hated gladhanding sponsors, and wanted to be adequately compensated for his talents. Nigel Roebuck recalls how that set Piquet on course for conflict with a team boss he felt was exploiting his loyalty.
The secrets of preparing for a new F1 circuit
No Formula 1 team arrives at a ‘new’ circuit entirely unfamiliar with it. As PAT SYMONDS explains, simulation and artificial intelligence does the hard work even before the driver takes their turn
The code of conduct debate prompted by the Alonso/Raikkonen marginal call
Fernando Alonso and Kimi Raikkonen's clash in Austin has thrust the debate about rights and wrongs of wheel-to-wheel combat firmly into the public spotlight, prompting complaints about the Formula 1 rules process. But what can the FIA do to prevent the issue resurfacing?
How Ferrari gained a new edge over McLaren in F1 2021 battle
Supremacy in the McLaren vs Ferrari fight over third place in the constructors’ championship has ebbed and flowed between the two teams so far in the 2021 Formula 1 season. But for several key reasons, right now it seems the advantage has swung decisively back to the Scuderia and McLaren knows it.