Porsche has already competed in Formula 1 three times!
Porsches planned marriage with Red Bull, whose conclusion had long been an open secret, did not come to fruition. The bride left the groom seated, as Red Bull decided to partner with Ford instead. This relationship gives Red Bull more freedom, as Ford, unlike Porsche, is not seeking a stake in the racing team. At the moment, it is unclear whether Porsche will compete in Formula 1 later. It would be a return, as the Swabian car manufacturer has already been active in the premier class three times. We look back on three very different appearances by Porsche in Formula 1.
The 1960s: Porsche's First Steps in Formula 1
Porsche first entered Formula 1 in the early 1960s, capping off an impressive motorsport career that had already included victories at the Carrera Panamericana and numerous sports car races during the 1950s. These successes were essential for promoting Porsche's road-going sports cars, as the racing vehicles were closely related to production models.
In 1959, Porsche adapted its successful 718 sports car into a single-seater for Formula 2. The car, powered by a 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine, was well-suited for the category. As Formula 1 often faced limited grid numbers, organizers frequently filled the starting fields with Formula 2 cars. This allowed the Porsche 718 to debut in Formula 1 at Monza in 1960, where Hans Herrmann impressively scored a championship point by finishing sixth. His success was aided by a boycott of the race by British teams protesting the use of banked corners.
1962: Grand Prix of France – Winner: Dan Gurney, Porsche 804 (Picture: Porsche)
The following year, the sports commission CSI revised Formula 1 regulations, reducing engine displacement to 1.5 liters—similar to the existing Formula 2. However, the new rules allowed pure racing engines rather than production-based units. Porsche seized the opportunity and entered two Porsche 718 cars under the "Porsche System Engineering" banner at the season opener in Monaco.
As the season progressed, Porsche introduced the new Porsche 787 powered by the Fuhrmann engine. Producing 190 hp, it allowed lead driver Dan Gurney to finish second on three occasions, placing him fourth in the drivers' standings—tied on points with Stirling Moss, who ranked higher due to two victories.
For the 1962 season, Porsche unveiled the 804, featuring a newly developed air-cooled eight-cylinder engine by Hans Mezger. Gurney secured Porsche's first and only Formula 1 victory at the French Grand Prix in Rouen, aided by Ferrari's absence and the retirements of Lotus and B.R.M. However, Porsche withdrew from the championship before the season finale in Kyalami. The costly Grand Prix program was halted as Porsche shifted focus to acquiring the Reutter coachbuilding company.
The 1980s: Turbo Success with McLaren and TAG
After leaving Formula 1, Porsche concentrated on endurance racing, achieving significant success at Le Mans with the 917, 936, and 935 models. During the 1970s, Porsche and Renault pioneered turbocharging at Le Mans, and by the late '70s, Porsche also explored turbocharged engines in IndyCar racing.
1983 Porsche returns with McLaren (Picture: Porsche)
In 1981, McLaren boss Ron Dennis convinced sponsor Techniques d’Avant Garde (TAG) to finance an exclusive turbo engine for the team. Hans Mezger led the project, designing a 1.5-liter water-cooled V6 twin-turbo, influenced by the Renault and Ferrari engines of the time. The TAG TTE PO1 made its debut in 1983, initially struggling but quickly developing into a dominant power unit.
Porsche powered three world championships
By the 1984 season, the Porsche-built engine produced around 630 hp, helping Niki Lauda and Alain Prost secure multiple victories. Lauda narrowly clinched the drivers' title by half a point over Prost. The TAG-Porsche partnership continued to dominate, with Prost winning back-to-back titles in 1985 and 1986. At its peak, the engine delivered up to 1,000 hp during qualifying sessions.
The bill for the "TAG TTE PO1 1.5 V6t" (Porsche-Type 2623) was payed by TAG (Picture Porsche)
However, by 1987, the TAG engine was no longer competitive against Honda's power units. Stricter fuel regulations and rising costs led to Porsche's withdrawal from Formula 1 after the season.
The 1990s: A Disastrous Collaboration with Footwork
Porsche returned to Formula 1 in 1991, supplying a naturally aspirated 3.5-liter V12 engine for the Footwork team. The engine, designated the Porsche 3512, was bulky, heavy, and underpowered compared to its rivals. Designed by Hans Mezger, the V12 featured a central camshaft drive reminiscent of the Porsche 917 engine.
Technical delays and reliability issues plagued the project from the start. Michele Alboreto and Alex Caffi struggled to qualify for races, with both drivers failing to make the grid multiple times early in the season. Tensions grew between Footwork and Porsche, as the heavy engine also exposed weaknesses in the chassis design.
Footwork FA12 (Picture Tom Schwede)
After just seven races, Porsche pulled the plug on the project, recognizing the fundamental design flaws of the 3512 engine. The quick withdrawal prevented lasting damage to Porsche's motorsport reputation, though the short-lived comeback remains a cautionary tale.
Conclusion: A Legacy of Peaks and Valleys
Porsche's Formula 1 history spans moments of triumph and failure. The 1960s brought modest success, while the 1980s partnership with TAG and McLaren was a dominant force in the turbo era. However, the Footwork collaboration in the early '90s served as a reminder of the challenges in Formula 1.
Whether Porsche will return to the grid remains to be seen. If the Swabian brand returns, it will aim to add another victorious chapter to its diverse Formula 1 legacy.
Picture credits: Porsche (4x), Archiv AutoNatives (1x) – Title: 1991, Michele Alboreto drove the hopeless Footwork-Arrows FA12 with the V12 from Porsche. (Picture Porsche)