No F1 return for Porsche

17/10/2012

Mat Coch writes:

Porsche has no plans to return to Formula One racing. The German marque has been linked with a return to the sport in a report in the German press, a claim the company has quickly moved to distance itself from.

With new engine regulations set to be introduced for 2014 the sport is actively making itself more accessible and relevant to the world's automotive industry. Honda has recently hinted that it would consider a return to Formula One while Porsche's parent company Volkswagen has long been linked with the sport.

Porsche has been actively recruiting staff with Formula One experience, Auto Motor und Sport suggesting it is an indication the company will return to the top flight of motor racing. It names a number of technical personnel while implying time booked in McLaren's simulator is not a preparation purely for its Le Mans assault.

Porsche has dismissed the claims, stating that it is bolstering its technical staff ahead of an assault on the World Endurance Championship.

"There has been significant investment in motor sport taking place in Weissach which is necessary due to our stated return to Le Mans in 2014," a spokesman said.

"There are no plans for Porsche to enter F1," he added. "The World Endurance Championship is where our focus lies, not F1."

Porsche has previously supplied engines to McLaren enjoying a highly successful partnership during the 1980's before a somewhat less successful stint as supplier to Footwork in 1991. During the 1960's the marque ran its own factory team, its sole victory coming at the 1962 French Grand Prix with Dan Gurney.