Porsche has extended its commitment to Formula E, ensuring that it will race until at least the end of the current Gen3 cycle of rules in 2026.
The news will see Porsche continue its already-started design and manufacture of a second homologated car for the 2025 and 2026 seasons – and will make it the longest that a German car make has raced in the all-electric world championship.
The 2026 campaign will be the seventh season that Porsche will participate in Formula E, with Audi having been a fully-fledged factory entity from 2017 to 2021 and BMW from 2018 until 2021. Mercedes completed three seasons in Formula E from 2019 to 2022, although ran as a pseudo works team with HWA Racelab in 2018-19.
Porsche also indicated that it would also be “actively involved” in the design of the subsequent Gen4 car.
Speaking of the decision to stay in Formula E, Porsche exec Michael Steiner said: “We’re convinced that our presence and successes in Formula E will continue to lay a foundation for future mobility solutions.
“It offers the most competitive environment to accelerate the development of high-performance vehicles with a focus on environmental friendliness and energy efficiency.”
“We want to help shape Formula E in the long term,” added Porsche motorsport boss Thomas Laudenbach.
Earlier this year Porsche finally admitted that it would not be pursuing an interest in racing in Formula 1 from 2026 onwards.
That decision came after a convoluted feasibility study and lengthy discussions with Red Bull and McLaren to form a possible alliance for the new F1 rules set.
Those plans faltered as agreement could not be reached on Porsche’s instance on acquiring a controlling business interest and naming rights in plans for supplying engines.
Porsche, which sits alongside several brands in the VW group, is therefore now concentrating on its Formula E and endurance racing programmes for the next three years.
Its sister brand within VW, Audi, will run a full works F1 entry from 2026. It already owns 25% of Sauber and that will increase that to 75% at a later date.
The news that Porsche will complete the Gen3 rules set as a manufacturer is expected to see the Andretti team extend its agreement as a customer of Porsche for the 2025 and 2026 ‘Gen 3 Evo’ era.
Andretti has scored two E-Prix wins this season compared to Porsche’s four, but while it is 21 points behind in the teams’ championship standings, its driver Jake Dennis is the strong drivers’ title favourite heading into the final two races of the season in London this weekend.
Porsche in Formula E this year
Drivers’ championship 1. Jake Dennis (Andretti Porsche) – 195 pts 4. Pascal Wehrlein (works Porsche) – 146 pts 7. Antonio Felix da Costa (works Porsche) – 93 pts
17. Andre Lotterer (Andretti Porsche) – 23 pts
Teams’ championship 2. Porsche – 239 pts (14 behind leader Envision Jaguar)
4. Andretti Porsche – 218 pts (35 behind leader Envision Jaguar)
Keyword: Porsche commits to Formula E stay despite prior doubts