After months of speculation, it seems that Porsche have all but confirmed they will be featured in 2026 Formula 1 grid after a cheeky trademarking move.
Porsche and fellow German-manufacturer Audi have been pursuing an entry into the sport since December 2021 when they were given permission by Formula 1’s VAG board to begin work on a project.
Documents found by Morocco’s Conseil de la Concurrence confirmed that Porsche and Red Bull have agreed to a deal in principle that would see the German-based manufacturer purchase a 50% stake in the team.
The news is a massive relief to Red Bull who are currently without an engine supplier until 2026, after taking over from Honda’s production at the end of 2021 with their own engines – Red Bull Power Trains.
The documents also suggest that the deal will be a ten-year partnership between the two racing-giants and will see Porsche not only as engine suppliers, but as naming-right partners.
One step closer to F1? ????
— Motorsport.com (@Motorsport) August 15, 2022
Porsche has filed a trademark for the word "F1nally" ✍️
#F1 #Porsche #F1nally #Motorsport pic.twitter.com/k9Vjfs1s7t
Porsche, who fall under the Volkswagen Group, will join its ‘sibling’ Audi in joining the motor-racing world, who currently have cars in four separate racing categories across the world.
MEDIAINFO: Audi Sport customer racing newsletter: First 24-hour win for Audi R8 LMS GT2
— Audi Sport (@audisport) August 15, 2022
>> https://t.co/DJHgA5Ht1S#PerformanceIsAnAttitude #GT3 #GT2 #GT4 #TCR pic.twitter.com/lbaMLUfWtN
The Red Bull-Porsche partnership is set to join the likes of the Aston Martin-Racing Point and Mercedes-Brawn deals as some of the biggest mergers in Formula 1 history.
With 2026 set to mix up the grid with a multitude of engine regulations and changes, it’s very likely that Porsche and Red Bull will get to work as soon as they are given the green light – if they are already working on the engines.