Porsche’s deal to supply power units to Red Bull Racing from 2026 looks set to have completely stalled, after the VW-owned manufacturer demanded too much from the Austrian team.
As per reports, Porsche are demanding a 50 percent share in the team, something which hasn’t gone down well with team boss Christian Horner or Adrian Newey.
Horner is believed to be afraid that should the deal be agreed, then he will be sacked from the role he’s held since 2005.
McLaren boss Andreas Seidl would be Porsche’s “preferred option” according to reports, as Seidl led the German manufacturer’s World Endurance Championship campaign.
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“We have heard rumours about Christian Horner and the new deal with Porsche,” well-known Dutch commentator Olav Mol told GP33.
“According to our information, Horner fears that he will be fired if Porsche takes control.”
Whilst Horner and Newey are reportedly against the deal, Red Bull owner Dietrich Mateschitz is supposedly pushing for the deal to be complete on the terms demanded by Porsche.
There is speculation that Mateschitz’s health is deteriorating, resulting in the 78-year-old wanting to sell both the Milton-Keynes-based team and also Scuderia AlphaTauri.
Michael Andretti is a potential buyer of Red Bull’s sister team, after the American had his bid to enter his own team into Formula 1 rejected.
There are clearly still some hurdles to be overcome by Porsche and Red Bull should the deal be agreed, with the complete opposite being said of Audi.
Audi, who are also owned by Volkswagen, were officially unveiled as a 2026 engine supplier at the recent Belgian Grand Prix, with the manufacturer reportedly eyeing up a deal to join Sauber and take a 75 percent share in the team.
Sauber’s current deal with Alfa Romeo won’t be extended beyond 2023, leaving Sauber looking for a partner.
Current Sauber boss Frederic Vasseur doesn’t see any need to rush the deal, with the new engine regulations not happening “next week”.
“You don’t have to speed up the process,” said Vasseur.
“The announcement was about the new engine for 2026. We are speaking about four years’ time and not next week, so step by step we will see what could be the future.”
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Audi are hoping to first join as an engine supplier but to then have their own ‘works’ team further down the line.
The car-manufacturer are also supposedly wanting a German driver to lead their charge, which could open the door to Mick Schumacher depending on his situation at the time.
His current situation is looking bleak, with the Haas driver still without a contract for 2023.