Advisor Helmut Marko hints Porsche joining Red Bull will not be easy

Helmut Marko, one of the founders of Red Bull Racing and the current advisor to the Formula 1 team, has hinted that formalisation of partnership between the Porsche and Red Bull won't be an easy affair. This came at a time when Porsche is preparing to join hands with Red Bull, as indicated in a document from Morocco that the German automaker will purchase 50 per cent stakes in the team’s F1 operation. Porsche has also applied for the trademark ‘F1nally’, however, the deal is yet to be officially announced.

Asked by a motorsport website why the antitrust authorities were being apprised of a partnership between the two, Marko said that it's quite simple as the VW board’s decision states that if the technical regulations can meet the criteria, then there is a green light to join the F1. The norms will directly affect cost capital, emission-free petrol, sustainability and equal opportunities for the newcomer, and that means more test bench capacities, so on and so forth. He further said that formally, these regulations do not exist.




However, as per a recent social media confirmation by FIA President Mohammed ben Sulayem, the power unit regulations have been sent to the World Motor Sport Council last week for signing. Earlier, Marko had said that the criteria by VW must be reflected in the regulations, or else it would be a daunting task in making the deal move ahead.

Presently, there are only four suppliers of F1 engine or power units; namely Renault, Mercedes, Ferrari, and Red Bull Powertrains. And for Porsche, it took much longer than expected. In the process, some key decisions were already made that include dropping the MGU entirely and running the vehicles with 100 per cent sustainable fuels.

Earlier, FIA didn’t approve the regulations for the 2026 power units as planned before June 29, delaying the official confirmation of Porsche's entry into F1.