Porsche moves a step closer to Formula One
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For a few seasons and especially since the purchase of Formula 1 by Liberty Media, one of the main priorities of the racing group has been to attract new manufacturers to the World Championship. 

The hybrid era, however, has turned out to be a complete fiasco both in competitive and in business terms. Prove of this is that since its inception in 2014 only one manufacturer (Honda) has joined the speciality. 

Honda’s experience in F1 was also a complete disaster. After a series of multimillion-dollar investments followed by an equal number of notorious failures, the Japanese left the F1 at the end of 2021. For next season only Mercedes, Ferrari and Renault remain as engines suppliers for the World Championship. 
The situation is worrying, to say the least, and Formula One managers are painfully aware of the need to revitalise the speciality. At the moment, the only hope is the coming into place in 2025 of the new regulations governing F1 engines, which is aimed at capturing the interest of other big manufacturers. 

Synthetic fuels & zero-carbon footprint

One such attractive development for 2025 is the move to synthetic fuels. Also, with the goal of re-branding themselves as a more sustainable brand, Formula 1 is aiming to achieve a zero-carbon footprint certificate from 2030. 

Those objectives are fully in line with the overall goals of the automotive industry. Formula One could thus become a very interesting technological laboratory and commercial showcase for some of the great firms in the industry. 

The BBC itself hinted at Porsche’s interest this week. Porsche Motorsport’s vice-president, Fritz Enzinger, assured that: “It would be of great interest if aspects of sustainability – for instance, the implementation of e-fuels – play a role in this”. 

“Should these aspects be confirmed, we will evaluate them in detail within the VW Group and discuss further steps. Porsche and Volkswagen AG are observing the constantly changing regulations in all relevant racing series around the world”.  
“This is also the case with regard to the emerging new engine and drivetrain regulation for Formula 1 from 2025”. – Added the German leader, leaving the door open for the Stuttgart giant to join the pinnacle of Motorsports-. 

Those declarations indicate the group are very likely an active member and perhaps even a leader of the discussions surrounding the 2025 engines. 

Porsche, a team or engine supplier?

If Porsche finally decides to join the Formula 1 family, it could do so as a team or merely as an engine supplier. Assuming it opts for the latter, he would be no short of customers. Red Bull, for instance, which has been forced to manage the Honda engines by themselves over the coming campaigns after the departure of the Japanese manufacturer, would be one obvious customer.

“Of course, it would make sense to study any possible collaboration very seriously if an important partner arises, be it a manufacturer or another type of partner”. – Said Christian Horner, Red Bull Team Principal, regarding this possibility-. 

As well as Porsche, McLaren could be interested in supplying engines for F1. Its sports manager, Andreas Seidl, already led the Porsche project to victory at the 25 Hours of Le Mans during the World Endurance Championship. 

Jost Capito, Williams’ team principal, would also be willing to consider a move to F1. Stefano Domenicali, the new Formula 1 president, could play an important role in setting up this partnership as both he and Capito worked together in the Volkswagen Group to which Porsche belongs. 

Images of Porsche: Porsche. com.

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