After Formula E, Porsche Adds F1 on 2021 To Do List

On Sunday, at the Italian Grand Prix, Porsche financial chief Lutz Metschke was present along with Ross Brawn and other F1 chiefs for discussions to enter Formula One. The German marquee last raced in F1 in 1991 in partnership with the Footwork team. However, the partnership was less than fruitful. But even though they left the sport, they never truly disassociated themselves from Formula One as they retained their commercial involvement à la Porsche Supercup support series.

Porsche met F1 a little later in 2015 when Nico Hulkenberg won the 2015 Le Mans race. Now with Porsche discontinuing their LMP1 program, they have begun to look for other avenues. they have already confirmed that they will be a works team in Formula E in the 2019-20 season. They also sent representatives to attend meetings regarding the 2021 season and the engine regulations.

“F1 could be one of the right places,” Meschke said. “As you know Formula E is very important for us now, and F1 is always a good topic to think about. And I think we are in quite good discussions regarding the new engine.” He also said that the idea of twin-turbo V6 engines was an attractive prospect for them and there are also discussions regarding supplying a customer team as there are no plans to form a works team as of now.

F1 commercial boss Sean Bratches said that Liberty Media would only be too happy to welcome Porsche into the fray in 2021. “Ultimately we’re trying to create a platform and environment where more engine manufacturers and brands and teams come into this sport and make it a compelling business proposition to do so,” Bratches told Motorsport.com.

“As the individual who kind of runs marketing and branding at F1 the inclusion of Porsche, which is a heritage racing brand in our sport, would be highly valued.”