Although there is still no confirmation, Red Bull chiefs are already making frequent statements and promises about the team's upcoming collaboration with Porsche. Advisor Dr. Helmut Marko gives the latest update and suggests that AlphaTauri also want to drive with the new power unit.
Volkswagen at odds with established order
In 2026 the Volkswagen Group wants to compete in Formula 1 with Audi and Porsche. The fact that Porsche will be supplying Red Bull with engines from that year is currently Formula 1's worst kept secret. But as long as there is no consensus on the engine rules for 2026, Volkswagen will not make any promises. The car giant is looking for specific rules on a budget cap, more sustainable engines, more sustainable fuel and equal opportunities for newcomers compared to the established teams. Examples of points of contention between Volkswagen and the existing teams are the permitted time in the wind tunnel for the newcomer and the material of the power sources. Porsche is arguing for aluminium engines, while Ferrari and Mercedes are pushing to keep their steel engines.
Marko updates the F1 fan in an interview with Motorsport-total.com. The Austrian says that the rules Volkswagen is asking for do not currently exist and therefore there is a lot of bureaucratic work involved. On August 8 the vote will take place on the proposed rules for 2026. This vote was actually supposed to take place on 2 August, but was postponed. Marko seems to understand Red Bull's rivals who do not yet agree with Porsche and Audi's wishes: "The top teams want to get the best out of it for themselves. The less time the newcomers have to prepare, the better that is for the established teams."
AlphaTauri also plans to drive with Porsche
Also, according to the medium, it seems to be becoming clear that Porsche will only take a fifty per cent stake in Red Bull, making them co-owners of the team for as long as the partnership lasts. With that, Marko directly confirms that Porsche will not be working as closely with AlphaTauri, but that the team has planned to run with Porsche engines in 2026, just like Red Bull.
Goodbye Honda. So Porsche is taking over completely i love it ?
If we take RB's statements at face value (always a dodgy thing to do), this heightens the chances of a very powerful Honda works team entering in 2026.
They have such a good PU, they won't want to throw away this experience at the whim of RB. In fact the opposite is likely to be true. They remain in the background as RB's technical advisors, so will know every trick RB uses to upgrade/ further develop their engine. That's absolutely invaluable knowledge and experience which they can use to launch their own campaign.
This means it's likely that Max's run of easy championships will come to an end in 2026, and 2027 at the very latest.
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Not sure how Red Bull could be upgrading Hondas engine. Its built and maintained in Japan still. Not at Red Bulls headquarters. Red Bull dont have any part in making changes to the Honda power unit. The only engines Red Bull have access to are the ones currently in the car which are sealed by the FIA. Honda has the rest.
My comment is not about RB, so don't get defensive. I'm speculating on Honda's future in F1.
Btw I don't think RB's change to Porsche PU's guarantees RB any kind of success. I think that they are chasing a significant financial stakeholding by Porsche at the expense of future success on the track.
That was always Mateschitz 's plan - to convert the present success on the track into a huge profit on divestment. Hes' my neighbour, so I should know....
I dont think the partnership will be an issue. Porsche arent interested in being full team owners and are solely focusing on providing engines. The partnership ensures that Porsche and Red Bull will work together closer and that Red Bull will not end up in a position they were in with Renault as a works partnership.
Stand corrected, things have Indeed move on. But that doesn't change the thrust of my post. I'm not interested in naval gazing about RB or possible upgrades, but about how it will work out for RB and Max under Porsche ownership, because I don't think Porsche (VW are the biggest motor manufacturers in the world) are the sort of company to play 'sleeping partner' for very long.
What do you think?
You clearly stated that Honda remain in the background as technical advisors so will know every trick RB use to upgrade or further develop their engines. I corrected you on that statement as Honda still build and maintain the engines in Sakura and provide tech assistance at the race track. They were supposed to do what you stated but it didnt come about because it meant Red Bull would have lost their right as a new engine provider in 2026 to the extra spending allowed etc if they didnt end up partnering with Porsche.
That’s great Marko - now go back to your after school care project.
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