Porsche commits to Formula E, F1 project shelved

Porsche announced on Monday afternoon that it will continue participating in Formula E at least until the end of 2026. The German brand had committed itself to the electric class until at least 2024, but two more seasons are now added. The desired Formula 1 project thus seems to be shelved for good.

Porsche has got things right this season. The factory team has already taken four wins thanks to driver duo Pascal Wehrlein and António Félix da Costa. Porsche also supplies powertrains for Avalanche Andretti and that customer team, with Jake Dennis, is the biggest contender for the title this season.

Focus on Formula E in coming years

Michael Steiner, member of the Executive Board for Research and Development, said in a statement, "With our participation in Formula E, we have opened a new chapter in all-electric motorsport. We remain convinced that our presence and successes in Formula E will lay the foundation for future mobility solutions. It provides the most competitive environment to accelerate the development of high-performance vehicles with a focus on eco-friendliness and energy efficiency."

He continued: "We look forward to playing an active role in shaping the successful future of Formula E and thereby giving electric mobility an even greater boost on a global scale."

Porsche is successful in Formula E and is therefore keen to move forward. But: that does seem to mean that an F1 entry is off the table. Because being active in both racing classes is a (too) big a challenge even for a brand like Porsche.

Talks about entry into F1 run aground

Over the past year, parent company Volkswagen Group has been working hard to ensure that both Audi and Porsche would be active in the premier class of motorsport from 2026. With the former brand, it succeeded, as the team takes over Sauber and becomes a factory team. For Porsche, the search for a partner was a lot more difficult. So in the end, talks even came to nothing.

Porsche was all too keen to be directly competitive in Formula 1, and for that it had its eye on a partnership with Red Bull Racing. However, the Germans wanted to take over at least 50 per cent of the shares and thus as much say as Red Bull. Although Max Verstappen 's team was interested in a partnership, it always wanted to keep a majority stake. So a deal did not materialise and Red Bull went into partnership with Ford.

Three other options also fell

Talks then followed with Williams and then McLaren, but that too came to nothing. The fourth option was talks with Aston Martin. Indeed, the British formation would like to become a factory team (with its own engines) in order to make its desire to become world champion come true. There was talk by both parties of a deal in which Porsche would also acquire a stake in Aston Martin's car division.

However, Aston Martin reportedly had a second iron in the fire with Honda, and because the Japanese were more bold AND because they already currently build one of the best F1 engines, Porsche was not chosen. Moreover, Honda made no further demands regarding taking over shares.

Porsche became, it seems, 'out of options' and, with an extended stay in Formula E, now chooses the electric route for the time being.