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Published in the April 2021 issue of “Porsche Profile”

As we all know, Porsche pulled its Factory Team from the IMSA Weathertech Series at the end of 2020. We can thank the Covid-19 Pandemic for that.

At least that was the official reason given, but we all know that they have been preparing to enter the Le Mans Daytona hybrid (LMDh) Prototype class in 2023.

At the end of the 2017 season, Porsche had also pulled out of the LMP1 class of the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) and announced that they would start competing in the FIA Formula E (all-electric open wheel) starting in 2019.

Since it's inception in 1948, Porsche has raced and won a myriad of races and championships all over the globe. They have won, among others:

• 12 World Sportscar Championship Manufacturers' and Team Titles:

1969, 1970, 1971, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986

• 3 FIA World Endurance Championship Manufacturers'Titles: 2015, 2016, 2017

• 6 World Sportscar Championship Drivers' Titles: 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986

• 3 FIA World Endurance Championship Drivers' Titles: 2015, 2016, 2017

• 2 FIA World Endurance Championship GT Drivers' Titles: 2015, 2018-19

• 1 Intercontinental Le Mans Cup GT2 Team Title: 2010

•19 24 Hours of Le Mans:

1970, 1971, 1976, 1977, 1979, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984,1985, 1986, 1987,

1994, 1996,1997, 1998, 2015, 2016, 2017

• 18 12 Hours of Sebring: 1960, 1968, 1971, 1973, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984,1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 2008

• 18 Daytona 24 Hours as Manufacturer: 1968, 1970, 1971, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1989, 1991, 2003

• 12 24 Hours Nürburgring as Manufacturer: 1976, 1977, 1978, 1988, 1993, 2000, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2018

• 8 Spa 24 Hours as Manufacturer: 1967,1968,1969,1993, 2003, 2010, 2019, 2020

• 1 Petit Le Mans: 2015

• 11 Targa Florio: 1956, 1959, 1960, 1963, 1964, 1966, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1973

• 3 IMSA Supercar-Series: 1991, 1992, 1993

• 6 German Racing Championship (DRM): 1977, 1979, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985

• 20 European Hill Climbing Championships

• 15 IMSA Supercar-Race (US)

• 1 International Championship for Manufacturers: 1970

• 4 Rallye Monte Carlo: 1968, 1969, 1970, 1978

• 2 Paris-Dakar Rally: 1984, 1986

…. but only

•1 Formula One Race: 1962

(Dan Gurney’s victory in the French Grand Prix driving a Porsche 804.

That was Porsche's first and last F1 race that they've won. Hopefully, that'll soon change.

Note: Porsche did participate and win in F1 as an engine supplier (TAG-Porsche) to McLaren: 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987.

So, for me, being a Formula 1 and a Porsche super fan, the recent rumors make me very hopeful for the future.

>>>> Porsche is making preparations to enter Formula1 in 2025 <<<<

We know that Porsche developed (in secret) a Formula 1 engine that targeted the 2021 regulations, but the project was shelved together with the World Endurance Championship program in 2018. We also know (as I explained in a previous article) that Porsche is in negotiations with Formula 1 to enter the top racing series as a manufacturer in 2025 if F1 agrees to use Porsche’s eFuel which promotes sustainability and helps in cost reductions. From their part, F1 has announced a first-ever budget cap of $145 million per team starting with the 2021 season with spending limits decreased to $135 million from 2023 onwards (this is exactly what Porsche was looking for).

Although meetings are done behind closed doors, news have leaked out that Porsche which is part of FIA’s engine working group, is very involved in the development of the 2025 regulations and that they show up to meetings full of ideas. They also want to double the electrification of the racecars by 2025.

Here’s the timeline:

• February 2021, Porsche is invited to attend its first FIA meeting in years

• March 2021, VW Supervisory Board agrees to participate in follow-up meeting which also included AMG Petronas, Alpine Renault and Ferrari, among others.

• April 2021 Porsche and Audi are expected to join as equal partners to discuss conditions for their participation in F1.

• May 2021 both Porsche and Audi will submit business plans to their respective Boards of Directors and the top brass at Wolfsburg.

• Late Spring or early Summer 2021 a Memorandum can be expected

Oliver Blume, Porsche’s CEO recently said:

“F1 is the top tier of motorsports and we follow it closely. But to turn it into a viable business case which dovetails with our core brand values, the regulations need to change so that Porsche can broadly identify with the new environment-friendly priorities.”

Sounds to me like they’re all-in! Only questions are:

• Will Porsche constrict itself to being just an engine supplier to other teams such as Red Bull (who’s contract with Honda goes only through the end of 2024) McLaren and/or Williams?

• Will Porsche decide to develop an all-inclusive package solution?

(Porsche car, Porsche engine and Porsche Team?)

Artist’s 2025 concept F1 racecar

•Will they use their own factory drivers if they develop the whole package, or

•Will they hire from the F1 alumni?

For the Porsche racing fan, the future is looking mighty good!

Stay tuned for more news in the near future.