What was once a rumor is now inching closer to reality.
Two months ago, we reported about Porsche and Audi entering F1 as an engine manufacturer by 2026. But according to documents published by Morocco's Conseil de la Concurrence, the former may already be on its way to officially entering the Formula One party.
Porsche has notified the Conseil about going on a 10-year partnership with current Formula One constructors' championship leader Red Bull Racing, and this includes the German sports car maker taking a 50% stake in the F1 team's grand prix operations.
Currently, Red Bull is still using engines from Honda using the Red Bull Powertrains name and will continue to do so until 2025 together with Red Bull's sister team Alpha Tauri.
Porsche and Red Bull are expected to announce their partnership to the public on August 4, which will result in a joint development of a power unit that will meet F1's 2026 engine rules. There was no mention if Porsche would also have a stake in Alpha Tauri, which means the junior team shall remain under Red Bull's control.
On the other hand, Audi is still exploring its options of getting into Formula One despite the VW Group Supervisory board approving the two brands' entry to the sport earlier this year and is not quite as far along in the process as Porsche.
With the way Red Bull Racing is performing in the past few years, Porsche is well-placed for success once they make their official return to Formula One in 2026. But for the time being, we should expect more shakeups to come in F1 teams before the new engine regulations are announced by the FIA World Motor Sport Council.
