Formula 1 has become the paving stone of evolution, both on and off the track. New regulations, new collaborations with new manufacturers, joining the relentless crucible of the pinnacle of motorsport. But one such collaboration raised eyebrows but never solidified: Red Bull Racing and Porsche.
Let’s take a look at some of the key reasons the potential partnership between these two giants broke down…
Porsche Wanted Equal Control
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In 2022, amidst an ever-growing partnership, Porsche insisted the deal must be of equal equity:
“which would include not only an engine partnership but also the team.”
A request made by the German manufacturer, which discontinued talks with the Austrian team. However, at the time, Red Bull invested heavily in Red Bull Powertrains Limited, with Honda providing technical support, thereby weakening Porsche’s leverage to invest.
Red Bull Refused to Relinquish Anatomy
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Strategically, Red Bull Powertrains gave the Milton Keynes-based team the opportunity to develop its own in-house engine, giving it greater control over performance, reliability, and technological innovation.
Red Bull relinquishing itself to a 50/50 partnership with Porsche would steer decision-making to the German manufacturer:
“Porsche was putting in place the necessary paperwork to green-light a 50% buy-in to Red Bull Technology, which is effectively the Red Bull F1 operation”
A deal that Red Bull CEO and Team Principal, Christian Horner, at the time wanted to avoid.
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Difference in Ideology
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Face value: the partnership would become revolutionary in Formula 1; unfortunately, both parties involved had differing views on what the other could bring to the partnership.
Red Bull depicted Porsche as a branding/technical partner for their 2026 Formula 1 campaign, supplying engines. Involving increased electrification elements and advanced sustainable fuels, with the main goal to attract more manufacturers to the pinnacle of motorsport.
But Porsche was more cunning; the German outfit wanted shared control of the partnership, which would have led to a restructuring of who would be in control. While Red Bull wanted to strengthen their ecosystem not just as a team but as a partnership going forward.
Christian Horner, at the time, emphasised that: “Stability is always important, and you’ve always got to look down the road as well. OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturer) have had a tradition of coming and going.”
Red Bull Doubled Down with RBPT
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In the quest for stability and full independence, Red Bull’s ambitions of becoming its own engine supplier in 2021:
“As I’ve very much spoken about reasonably consistently, Red Bull elected to become a power unit manufacturer more than 18 months ago, and in that time, we’ve recruited some of the best talent in Formula 1” – Christian Horner.
Recruiting over 300 people for what was called Red Bull Powertrains. This would inevitably create a breakdown with Porsche, as Red Bull would receive:
“No input from Porsche into the engine or the activity and so it doesn’t change anything for us.” Going forward with RBPT.
Red Bull’s Gamble Paid Off
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Departing from the potential collaboration with Porsche, Red Bull’s hunger for championship glory bore fruit with RBPT.
In 2022, Red Bull Racing PBPT won 17 out of the 22 races, with Max Verstappen becoming the world champion for a second time, winning 15 races, and his Red Bull teammate, Sergio Perez, winning two. A dominating season by Red Bull, with Max Verstappen 142 points clear of his Ferrari rival, Charles Leclerc.
2023 became Red Bull’s ‘Golden Year’. Winning 21 of 22 races of the season, only losing out to Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz, who won the 2023 Singapore Grand Prix. Once again, the ‘Flying Dutchman’ reigned supreme, clinching his third championship with an enormous 290-point advantage over his team-mate Sergio Perez.
In 2024, Red Bull began to feel the pressure as rivals caught up. Although Max Verstappen won the driver’s championship by 63 points over his nearest rival, Lando Norris, the Raging Bull’s thorn came from McLaren and Ferrari. Demoting the Milton Keynes-based team to third in the Constructors Championship.
2025: The End of an Era
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2025 would be the final season before the Ford Red Bull Racing partnership would come into effect.
Unfortunately, due to constant driver and personnel turnover, morale declined drastically within the Red Bull camp. Although the RB21 was not the fastest car on the grid, it did not stop the four-time world champion from showcasing his speed and aggression.
After a dominant first half of the season dominated by McLaren, Verstappen turned up the heat heading to the Italian Grand Prix, converting pole position to a dominating victory, showcasing that Verstappen is still competitive.
Following on, the Dutch driver won in Azerbaijan, Austin, Las Vegas, Qatar and Abu Dhabi. Every win kept Verstappen’s chances alive as Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri battled internally, opening up opportunities that Verstappen capitalised on.
The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix was the finale in which Verstappen extracted the maximum potential from his RB21. However, it was not enough. Championship rival, Lando Norris, sealed third, finishing just two points ahead and clinching the Championship, ending Verstappen’s four-year title reign.
In the end, the Dutchman’s mid-season surge restored confidence in the Red Bull camp and came as a reminder to his rivals that even though Verstappen did not achieve his fifth world title, he remains one of the sport’s most relentless drivers on the grid.
Red Bull Declined, Porsche’s Demise
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By walking away from the deal with Porsche, Red Bull maintained its integrity and avoided corporate oversight that could have slowed decision-making and operational control.
Keeping full control, Red Bull continued with Red Bull Powertrains (RBPT) and kept its winning structure. Now, after four successful years, Red Bull is in a secure partnership with Ford Racing. The added benefit? No relinquishment in ownership or autonomy, creating what is called Red Bull Ford Powertrains (RBFP).