Formula One: Porsche preparing for return in 2021?
By Alex Herbst
After dropping hints for years, Porsche has perhaps revealed the biggest clue about their Formula One plans by continuing their engine development.
With the FIA mulling over engine rule changes as early as 2021 for the Formula One world championship, it has garnered the attention of many manufacturers currently outside of the sport. Aston Martin, Alfa Romeo, and Porsche have been just a few names popping up with renewed interest in F1, and it is the latter that appears closest to fielding their own team.
As reported by Motorsport.com, the German manufacturer has continued their development of a new V6 engine that was originally set to replace their four-cylinder model in the LMP1 category of the World Endurance Championship.
However, Porsche announced their departure from the series this year, opting instead to join Formula E. But the move to continue development of this new engine package would suggest that it could have use in other motorsports categories, such as Formula One.
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Porsche has made it no secret that they have interest in returning to the world championship, a category they have not raced in since 1991. That failed effort with the Arrows organization was the last time the German marque was on the same grid as McLaren, Ferrari, and Mercedes in F1, but those days may be gone. Since 2010, the whispers of Porsche’s return have grown louder and louder, reaching a roar now in 2017.
It is no secret that many of the drivers in the Porsche stable have or had F1 aspirations. Just this year, former Porsche WEC driver Brendon Hartley secured a full-time drive with Toro Rosso for 2018. Others continue to hold out hope that they will land one of the company’s two seats in Formula E in the coming years. But who wouldn’t want to see a world-class racer like Neel Jani, Earl Bamber, or Marc Lieb climb aboard a new F1 machine?
The arrival of Porsche back into the sport would likely be on hold until 2021, when new engine regulations are set to grace the series. Despite major pushback from some key manufacturers like Ferrari, F1 officials are triumphing this plan as an effort to bring more manufacturer support to the table, in a series where three manufacturers currently supply engines to 90 percent of the field, some with year-old equipment.
Next: Alfa Romeo to Make an F1 Comeback with Sauber?
Do you think Porsche will field their own factory squad in Formula One in the next five years? What other manufacturers could enter the world championship with new engine regulations in place?