Formula 1 Is Absolutely 'Off the Table' for Porsche

Porsche has more wins than any other brand in the history of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, but in spite of its success there (and in many other aspects of racing), the company has not tried its hands as a Formula 1 manufacturer in more than 60 years. A rumored deal with Red Bull Racing could have changed that, but that option fell through in summer of 2022. Now, Porsche motorsport boss Thomas Laudenbasch says that an F1 return is "off the table."

In a conversation with Motorsport, Laudenbasch said that entering Formula 1 is "not a task for us" and called the push to rejoin F1 a "closed chapter" for the company. Laudenbasch also ruled out a return to IndyCar, another option that the brand had reportedly explored around 2019.

Porsche will instead stick to its existing racing commitments, headlined by the Porsche Penske 963 prototype program that is currently leading championships in both IMSA and the FIA World Endurance Championship. The brand also races in many GT categories and in Formula E, where Porsche factory driver Pascal Wehrlein won the driver's championship earlier this year.

While Porsche has not won an F1 race as a constructor since 1962, the brand briefly provided engines to McLaren as part of an alliance with TAG. That partnership resulted in three consecutive championships in the mid-1980s, and the motor was seen again in custom 911s revealed by Lazante in June.

Porsche's factory F1 aspirations may be parked, but another Volkswagen-associated brand is set to join the grid in the near future. Audi has announced plans to purchase Sauber in full and has already made key leadership hires for its factory operation ahead of a debut as a constructor in 2026.

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