Formula 1 is certainly experiencing a boom currently, with the championship proving to be more successful than ever before.
The pinnacle of motorsport is seeing record attendances, huge TV figures, and a growing number of sponsors wanting to get involved.
McLaren CEO Zak Brown recently admitted that the sport has “never been” healthier, something that looks set to only further improve.
It’s not just sponsors who are trying to get involved with the championship; manufacturers are also attempting to become part of the Formula 1 bandwagon.
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A number of companies see 2026 as the ideal time to join the sport, with the new engine regulations set to be introduced in three years’ time, with the series focused on becoming more sustainable.
Audi have already been confirmed by F1 to be joining the sport in 2026, with the Germans having struck a deal with Sauber to supply their power units.
Audi branding will be prominent on the car from then on, with the team set to be an Audi works side, after the company claimed a 75-percent stake in the Sauber outfit.
Hyundai and Ford have also expressed interest in potentially taking on a large role in the sport, with the duo likely to want to partner with a team for technical support, rather than as a power unit supplier.
Red Bull have been linked with virtually all of them, with the Austrians having admitted to being open to working with another company from 2026.
The Austrians were, of course, incredibly close to entering a partnership with Porsche from 2026, with the Volkswagen Group being keen to get both Audi and Porsche into the sport.
A deal was almost signed between the two; however, it broke down incredibly late on after Porsche ultimately requested too much from Red Bull.
Porsche wanted a 50-percent share of the team and also full control virtually over the power unit, something Red Bull’s bosses weren’t happy about.
Speaking about the breakdown of the deal, Porsche CEO Oliver Blume admitted that the “deal was agreed”, but that it was cancelled last minute.
“The talks actually went very well,” Blume said, per Speed Week.
“A deal was agreed with a handshake but at the last moment it wasn’t completed,” he revealed.
“We wanted to be an equal partner.”
Red Bull ultimately decided that they wanted to maintain their independence, something they would’ve lost by partnering with a manufacturer as large as Porsche.
Blume doesn’t hold any grudges against Red Bull and is “ok” that the deal failed, with the company having a “huge program” ahead of them.
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“Everyone has to decide for themselves whether they want to sell shares,” he insisted.
“That’s ok with us. We behaved fairly.
“Now we’ll see what happens in the future and what will be attractive. We have a huge (motorsport) program ahead of us that we’re looking forward to.”