Red Bull: Porsche is welcome but it's not that simple

On the recent F1 landscape, a Porsche and Red Bull 'marriage' appeared all but done with only a date to be set for the 'wedding' while Audi seemed to have a way to go regarding plans for their F1 foray.

Yet, it was indeed Audi who announced their plans to be an F1 engine supplier from 2026 but as yet have no team deal or customer partners; the new engine rules kick in in less than four years.

According to Motorsport Network, Porsche and Red Bull are dithering with team principal Christian Horner confirming his organisation's commitment to their Red Bull Powertrains (RBP) operation: “Obviously, we're pushing aheads. They fired up the first engine prior to the summer break. 2026 is still a while away.

“We have plenty of time, and of course, strategically, we will have to do what's right for the team and for the company. And obviously, that's between the shareholders. And there's constructive discussion ongoing discussions obviously with Porsche.”

However, in Belgium, when asked by Auto Motor und Sport about the status of the Porsche deal, Horner replied: "There are still many details to be clarified. Porsche is welcome, but the matter is not that simple. I hope that the negotiations will come to a positive end."

Also emerging in the Spa-Francorchamps paddock after the summer break, Honda are considering about a return to F1 in 2026, while they remain committed to the agreements they have with Red Bull which makes a mockery of their 'departure' from the sport.

Horner did not deny a possible Honda continuation and reckoned: “I think that for 2026, nothing is fixed. I mean, obviously, Red Bull Powertrains is established, we have more than 300 people recruited. So, that is our path.”

Suggesting that Max Verstappen's team have choices, while Porsche have to find a big team (forget Mercedes, Alpine, Ferrari; highly unlikely McLaren, Aston Martin) or go it alone.

And Horner says Red Bull are in no rush to find a partner: "We don't have time pressure. Because 2026 is still three and a bit years away. So we don't need to be in a rush. And therefore, obviously, constructive discussions are ongoing.”

Interested engine manufacturers have until 15 October to pay a fee to the FIA enter F1 in 2026, which Horner acknowledged: “There is a date. But that doesn't preclude a deal being done after the 15th. So Red Bull Powertrains will be supplying two teams in 2026.”

In fact, the cut-off date next month means those who miss the FIA ​​deadline will have to wait until 2027.

Honda themselves are a good example why time is actually important, and 2026 not as far away as might seem considering the enormity of the PU design, build and development.

When they came to the game during the hybrid era they were the laughing stock, a year or two behind, they took some hard knocks and five or so years for them to get their act together, going from "Formula 2 engine" in those days to the mighty piece of kit that powered Max Verstappen to his first F1 world title last year, and now his second beckons - Honda powered in the end.

Again Honda's timing in F1 has been a joke. Every time they leave, the team they depart wins the F1 title! Remember BrawnGP, that morphed from Honda for a dollar, and won the 2009 F1 World Championship with Mercedes power?

The deal was said to cut RBP into 50-50 which allegedly Dietrich Mateschitz was keen on, but figures within the team, some say among them Adrian Newey and Helmut Marko were worried the team's independence would be at risk.

But Horner insisted there was no split in the ranks but rather investment in RBP: “No, because it fundamentally won't change anything, because the way that the company is constructed, we have RBP that will be producing an engine for 2026.

“And the whole purpose for that was to have an integrated solution between engine and chassis to bring it all under one roof, being the only team other than Ferrari. So that is the absolute clear plan.”

According to Michael Schmidt, adding pressure to Porsche's F1 plans, in terms of timeline, is that the carmaker wants to go public this year. When exactly, only a few insiders at Porsche know.

Mid-December is the latest date being bandied about, because a 100-day lock-up applies to every IPO, which means that during that period the group is not allowed to make or announce any strategic decisions, meaning Porsche would need concrete direction about an F1 project by 10 September, latest.

To cut a long story short, paving the way for an energy drinks company to build F1 engines for Porsche!

This begs obvious questions: Is Porsche getting involved as a badging or branding exercise or to really give F1 a sure shot? Does their 'F1 plan' or lack thereof make sense?