Porsche’s sporting director has said that the Volkswagen Group is following F1 developments from the sidelines, but nothing more.
The sport has often spoken of its desire to attract new manufacturers, and the VW group are considered one of those most likely to join the grid, through either Porsche or Audi.
Porsche CEO Olivier Blume has stated that if they are to do so, it won’t be until the new engine regulations come into play in 2025, and vice president Fritz Enzinger has confirmed that they’re keeping an eye on developments regarding those regulations, but that’s all for the time being.
“In the Group, we are currently concentrating strategically on series such as the WEC or Formula E and on worldwide customer sport in the area of GT3 regulations. Basically, we follow and evaluate all ongoing developments in the globally relevant racing series,” he told Auto Motor und Sport.
“The new engine regulations are not due until 2025, possibly in parallel with the introduction of e-fuels, which is the prerequisite for CO2-neutral racing.
“A cost cap for the engine is also being considered. The cost cap has been discussed in Formula 1 for a long time, only the consistent implementation has not succeeded so far.”
“The company is following all this from the sidelines – but that’s all it’s doing at the moment.”
Three major outcomes from Thursday's F1 Commission meeting:
?? F1 intention to race at Portimao on May 2
? Sprint Race concept receives support
? Engine freeze from 2022
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It was announced in February that the new engine regulations would be brought forward a year from 2026 to 2025 in response to an engine freeze being agreed upon.
The VW Group has long stated that the new regulations could motivate them to join the world of F1 depending on what shape they take. However, Enzinger insists that they’re not actively playing a part in deciding said changes.
“Of course we are following the fundamental decisions,” he added.
“Only when this state of affairs should change and the VW Group is considering involvement in whatever form would it make sense to participate in the corresponding committees.”
As for whether Porsche or Audi are more likely to join the grid, he says that hasn’t been discussed yet.
“I don’t want to and can’t speculate on that,” he said.
“At the moment we are only observing it from the Group perspective. Only when the topic develops in an interesting direction can there be any further assessments at all.”
With Mercedes, Ferrari and Renault sticking around and Red Bull beginning to manufacture their own engines, it’s unclear which existing teams either Porsche or Audi could supply.
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