Porsche built engine for F1, but won't enter in 2021

Porsche has revealed that it developed a V6 engine with a view to potentially entering Formula 1 in 2021, but Liberty Media's inability to nail down new regulations and a move to Formula E led to the project being shelved.

The six-cylinder engine was built with entries in the World Endurance Championship and F1 in mind.

However, Porsche has instead focused on Formula E, and will debut in the all-electric series for its sixth season along with Mercedes.

Porsche's head of motorsport Fritz Enzinger told Motorsport.com: "In 2017 there were signals from Formula 1 that the regulations were to be changed and that energy recovery from the exhaust gases [the MGU-H] was no longer required.

"As of 2017, Porsche was a member of the FIA Manufacturers Commission and was involved in the discussions about the future drive strategy in Formula 1 from 2021 and represented at the meetings.

"On the one hand we took part in these working groups. On the other hand the guys developed a six-cylinder for the WEC in parallel. Of course, we thought about what would have to change if the engine were to be used in Formula 1. Such things can be done in two ways.

"The possible use for this six-cylinder engine was completely open. If it had been decided to send Porsche 2021 to Formula 1, we would have made it the way we did in 2018."

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