According to reports online, Porsche’s new chairman has said that the German supercar builder is evaluating a return to Formula 1, a sport the company left in 1962 due to high costs.
Though Porsche has returned as an engine supplier a couple times (remember TAG Mclaren?), the marque has generally stayed away from Formula One, preferring instead to compete in endurance races and other series’ around the world.
Speaking about the possible return, Mueller said he expected his company’s motorsport activities – which encompasses Porsche and Audi through its tie-up with the Volkswagen Group – to include both top-level sportscars and F1 in the near future.
He made it clear that he expected either Porsche or Audi to have an LMP1 car in the future – while the other brand would then enter F1.
If any marque within VW is capable of having a shot at F1, it’s Porsche. Audi seems to have its focus on Le Mans prototypes and has been doing so since 1999 and is currently working on a new car for 2011 – the R18. Porsche has not officially gone racing since 1998, and though it did produce the LMP2 RS Spyder for customer teams from 2005 onwards, hence it would be the logical choice for a step into Formula 1.
“With LMP1, there are two classes and two brands – Audi and Porsche. We do not like to both go into LMP1 against each other; that is not so funny,” Mueller told Autocar’s website.
“So therefore we have to discuss whether it makes better sense for one of the brands to go into LMP1, and the other brand into F1. So we will have a round-table to discuss the pros and cons.”
The report also suggests that Porsche’s entry into F1 could again be as an engine supplier rather than a whole team. And with all-new engine regulations set for 2013, it could just be a great time for one of the most successful supercar maker to return to the worlds most successful race series.
