New rules to tempt Porsche back to F1
PORSCHE LOOKS SET to return to Formula 1 as an engine supplier from 2021, when the sport introduces new, lowercost engine regulations.
Lutz Meschke, deputy chairman of Porsche’s executive board, told Autosport that F1 “could be one of the right places” for the brand, which has already announced plans to close its LMP1 sportscar programme at the end of this year and enter a factory team in Formula E from the 2019/20 season.
“Formula E is important for us now, and F1 is always good to think about,” he said . “We are in quite good discussions regarding the new engine.”
Porsche’s interest is linked to F1’s planned shift away from today’s complex hybrids to simpler V6 turbo systems.
“We have to cut costs in F1 and it’s a good way to reach this target,” added Meschke, before dismissing the chances of Porsche returning as a fully fledged team. “Discussions are around being an engine supplier,” he said.
Porsche last competed in F1 in 1991, when it supplied engines for the Footwork team.