Red Bull playing hard ball: 'We will not sell any shares to Porsche' as talks break down

Red Bull advisor Dr Helmut Marko has reiterated the team's decision to push into its future in Formula 1 without Porsche.

Reports on Monday said decisions made over the Dutch Grand Prix weekend had 'burst' the deal with the Volkswagen-owned German sports carmaker for 2026 because of disagreements about who would control the team after a 50% buyout.

"There was never a deal or a legally binding agreement, so there was nothing to burst," Marko told Osterreich newspaper.

Sources suggest Porsche may now turn its attention to McLaren, headed by the marque's ultra-successful former Le Mans team boss Andreas Seidl.

"We are the most attractive bride," Marko said of Red Bull, "but we are not necessarily looking to get married."

He also told TZ newspaper: "We couldn't agree. We will not sell any shares to Porsche. We are not the Porsche Supercup, after all."

It seems Red Bull's plan now is to push ahead with its very own Red Bull Powertrains project for 2026, with Christian Horner denying Honda's potential full return to F1 could be 'plan B'.

"With our agreement with HRC, Honda left a toe in the water. But as far as we are concerned, the train has left the station," Red Bull's team boss said.

Marko agrees, insisting the Honda reports are "all speculation. We are now concentrating on the world championship fight and defending the title with Max."

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