Sleuthing confirms Porsche will enter Formula 1 in 2026

Porsche are set to join the championship in 2026.

It’s been a poorly kept secret that Porsche are set to join Formula 1 in 2026 when the new engine regulations are introduced; however, the German manufacturer’s arrival into the sport appears even more certain now.

Whilst it was known that Porsche were planning to join Red Bull Racing, it was unknown as to what percentage they were aiming to make their own.

Documents from Morocco have revealed that Porsche are planning on purchasing 50-percent of Red Bull’s F1 operations, making them joint co-owners of the Austrian team.

The deal will be agreed when the new regulations are announced, with Red Bull chief advisor Dr Helmut Marko insisting that if the regulations don’t fit in with Porsche’s plans, then it would make “no sense” them joining.

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“The criteria mentioned must be reflected in the regulations, otherwise the whole thing makes no sense,” Marko said to Motorsport-Total.

“Or it will be much more difficult in planning.”

Since Marko said this, FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem has revealed on social media that the new power unit regulations have been sent off to the World Motor Sport Council for approval.

Deciding on the new regulations was no easy feat for the current powertrain supplies, with topics such as sustainable fuels and the MGU-H causing plenty of debate between Ferrari, Mercedes, Red Bull and Renault (the four current powertrain suppliers).

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From 2026, the sport will move to 100 percent sustainable fuels and the MGU-H will be completely dropped.

The 79-year-old gave an insight into what it was like trying to agree on the new regulations, with the Austrian admitting the “top dogs” were fighting to get the best deal for them.

“It’s the usual game in Formula 1,” said Marko.

“The top dogs – in this case, Mercedes and Ferrari, because Renault is more of a sidecar – try to get the best out of it.

“Then there is some kind of compromise that everyone can live with, and that is in hours of discussion. But that’s part of Formula 1 policy.”

Porsche’s arrival looks all but imminent, with the manufacturer having filed a trademark for the word ‘F1nally’.

A graphic quickly began to circulate on social media, with the German manufacturer leaving many fans excited.

Despite all of this, no deal has actually been formalised; however, Marko explained why the antitrust authorities were being informed of the planned partnership.

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 “It’s very simple,” added Marko.

“The VW board decision is: If the technical regulations meet the criteria, then you have the mandate to go into Formula 1.

“This primarily affects cost cap, sustainability, emission-free petrol, equal opportunities as a newcomer, i.e. more test bench capacities and the like. In purely formal terms, however, these new regulations do not yet exist.”