Porsche were close to entering Formula 1 in 2021

It has been reported that Porsche were close to entering Formula 1 in 2021 where they hoped rule changes would have allowed them to be competitive. Autosport have revealed that Porsche built and tested an engine before deciding not to go ahead with re-joining the sport. Porsche's head of motorsport Fritz Enzinger saidthat the company had built an F1 engine and tested it before making their decision. 

"In 2017 there were signals from Formula 1 that the regulations were to be changed and that energy recovery from the exhaust gases [the MGU-H] was no longer required," he said to Autosport.

"As of 2017, Porsche was a member of the FIA Manufacturers Commission and was involved in the discussions about the future drive strategy in Formula 1 from 2021 and represented at the meetings.

"We thought about what would have to change if the engine were to be used in Formula 1.

"The possible use for this six-cylinder engine was completely open."

It would have been great to see another top manufacturer enter Formula 1 but unfortunately, it seems that the plans for entering Formula 1 are over due to the fact that the rule changes changed too much and that opportunities in other Formulas opened up.