Red Bull team principal Christian Horner notes that it would be prudent to open up discussions with Porsche about a potential power supply in 2026, but confirms that nothing has been set in stone yet.
Volkswagen are planning to enter Formula 1 in four years’ time with their subsidiaries – Audi and Porsche – aiming to form relationships with teams for varying reasons.
While Porsche would like to manufacture a powertrains package for a team – Volkswagen chairman Herbert Diess has suggested work has already begun – Audi are seeking to buy an existing team on the grid, with Aston Martin currently looking the most likely option.
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Red Bull are constructing an auxiliary factory in Milton Keynes that will enable them to manufacture their own engines and gearboxes when their relationship with Honda ends in 2025, but there are rumours aplenty that they will instead choose to outsource this work to Porsche.
Adviser Dr Helmut Marko was previously very tight-lipped on the matter, but Horner reveals that the team are exploring every avenue.
“It is obviously great, the commitment that VW stated, as a parent company to both Porsche and Audi, that they’ve both got the intent of going into Formula 1,” he told RacingNews365.com.
“We’ve just started a new journey as a power unit manufacturer for 2026, so, of course, it would be logical for us to look at all discussions about a potential cooperation.”
Despite the interest, the Briton divulged that no progress has yet been made on a possible deal.
“It’s still very early days,” he added.
“There’s nothing to report and, when there is, you guys (the media) will naturally be the first to know.”
Michael Andretti’s intended entry into Formula 1 in 2026 would put 11 teams on the grid, meaning that teams will receive a smaller slice of pie when the prize money is given out.
To compensate for that, new teams must pay a $200 million entry fee to get into the pinnacle of motorsport.
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Horner suggests that promoters should start reducing their own pay checks if they are to push for new entrants given that it ultimately means less money for the other teams.
“Money is ultimately going to be a significant factor,” he stated.
“I see a question, really for the promoter, that if they want more teams, they’re obviously going to have to dilute their share of the fund, because it would be unfair to expect the other teams to pay for the additional new entrants to come in indirectly.
“I think it’s great that there’s the interest from new brands, and a team like Andretti, a great name, but I think it’s something that, with [F1 owner] Liberty [Media], it’s their business model that they need to work out for the future.”
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has previously said that any new team on the grid would need to prove that they can “add value” to the sport.