Red Bull: Porsche must decide if they want to 'join our party' or not

Christian Horner says Porsche must accept Red Bull's terms and its culture of how it goes racing, or walk away from its plans to partner with the Milton Keynes-based outfit.

Red Bull and Porsche are still in talks over a long-term collaboration to race together in Formula 1 from 2026.

But the terms of the two parties' association – as imposed by Red Bull - appear to have compromised the prospective joint venture between the two companies.

Red Bull is determined to retain its technical independence and function with minimal input from Porsche's engineers and with as little corporate interference as possible from the German automobile manufacturer.

"They need to decide whether they want to join that party or not," Horner told Sky F1 in Zandvoort on Friday.

"It would have to be, as I say, within that culture of the way that we go racing."

Red Bull Powertrains - the team's new engine department in Milton Keynes – has already started work on a next-generation F1 engine that will be badged under the name of any partner willing to pay for that privilege.

While RBP welcomes Porsche's expertise as far as engine development is concerned, it has been made clear to the Stuttgart firm that Red Bull will maintain its operational oversight on chassis and engine integration.

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"Red Bull has always been an independent team," he said. "It's been one of our strengths, it's been the backbone of what we've achieved and our ability to move quickly. It's part of the DNA of who we are.

"We're not a corporately operated organisation, and that is one of our strengths in how we operate as a race team. That is an absolute prerequisite for the future."

Horner stressed that if Porsche walks away, the same criteria will apply to any potential manufacturer that wishes to partner with Red Bull.

"I think any relationship with any manufacturer or partners would have to fit with Red Bull," he said.

"We've got this new chapter, an exciting new chapter that we're heading into on the powertrain side of the business. We've got some phenomenal talent that has joined the company. We're in good shape.

"Time will tell whether we embrace a partner into that programme or, as the plan is at present, continue on our own."

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