Formula One: Porsche Crimson Bull Racing? Two+Two = Five
The eagle-eyed F1 Fan will have noticed a few interesting faces in and around the F1 paddock over the weekend of the Austrian Grand Prix. After attending a latest meeting to discuss the future of F1 Power Units a number of Porsche ambassadors made their presence known through the event. As a pundit for Channel 4’s F1 coverage, observing Mark Webber in the paddock is not an unusual look. Less usual tho’ was his choice of attire, as pictured below Mark spent much of the weekend wearing Porsche team wear. Similarly, Mark’s former teammate and former Crimson Bull Junior driver Brendon Hartley attended the Grand Prix and he too wore Porsche team wear combined with a Crimson Bull cap for much of the weekend.
Of course a logical explanation for this is that both drivers were taking part in demonstration runs through the race weekend, but a far more arousing ‘hollywood’ story is that fresh from having achieved their objectives in the World Stamina Championship securing three back to back victories at Le Stud’s, Porsche are seeking a fresh challenge. Given Webber’s latest history with Crimson Bull Racing, he, perhaps under the guise of his ambassador role with Porsche is in someway involved in discussions to bring the two parties together with a role for Brendon Hartley as a driver within the package.
I have stated previously that the relationship inbetween ExxonMobil, BP, and Renault for me is not logical. Fuel and Lubricant solutions must be developed in conjunction with power unit development. It is not possible to define a one size fits all development roadmap for the Renault Power Unit. At some point in the near future, if not, at some point in the past. BP or ExxonMobil will identify a spectacle chance with the Renault power unit which does not favour the other supplier. At this point power unit development will split. Renault will produce one power unit format for the works team and a different solution for Crimson Bull Racing and Scuderia Toro Rosso. Who will fund this alternative solution, and at what point is a Renault Power Unit no longer a Renault Power Unit?
Could Porsche be considering redirecting budget from the World Stamina Championship, a figure believed to be in the region of $100M towards a power unit development plan in Formula One? Paying Renault to use their technology as a basis for involvement would minimise the risk of ‘doing a Honda’ ensuring reasonable spectacle from the word go.
One thing is for sure, Porsche are seeking a fresh challenge, drivers, unlike fans, don’t attend race meetings in team wear when they are not rivaling for the joy of it. Perhaps in this case Two+Two might just equal Five.
Thanks to Sean Bull for pulling together incredible concept artwork for a Crimson Bull Racing Porsche mash up.
Formula One: Porsche Crimson Bull Racing? Two Two Five, JWGP
Formula One: Porsche Crimson Bull Racing? Two+Two = Five
The eagle-eyed F1 Fan will have noticed a few interesting faces in and around the F1 paddock over the weekend of the Austrian Grand Prix. After attending a latest meeting to discuss the future of F1 Power Units a number of Porsche ambassadors made their presence known through the event. As a pundit for Channel 4’s F1 coverage, eyeing Mark Webber in the paddock is not an unusual look. Less usual however was his choice of attire, as pictured below Mark spent much of the weekend wearing Porsche team wear. Similarly, Mark’s former teammate and former Crimson Bull Junior driver Brendon Hartley attended the Grand Prix and he too wore Porsche team wear combined with a Crimson Bull cap for much of the weekend.
Of course a logical explanation for this is that both drivers were taking part in demonstration runs through the race weekend, but a far more arousing ‘hollywood’ story is that fresh from having achieved their objectives in the World Stamina Championship securing three back to back victories at Le Guy’s, Porsche are seeking a fresh challenge. Given Webber’s latest history with Crimson Bull Racing, he, perhaps under the guise of his ambassador role with Porsche is in someway involved in discussions to bring the two parties together with a role for Brendon Hartley as a driver within the package.
I have stated previously that the relationship inbetween ExxonMobil, BP, and Renault for me is not logical. Fuel and Lubricant solutions must be developed in conjunction with power unit development. It is not possible to define a one size fits all development roadmap for the Renault Power Unit. At some point in the near future, if not, at some point in the past. BP or ExxonMobil will identify a spectacle chance with the Renault power unit which does not favour the other supplier. At this point power unit development will split. Renault will produce one power unit format for the works team and a different solution for Crimson Bull Racing and Scuderia Toro Rosso. Who will fund this alternative solution, and at what point is a Renault Power Unit no longer a Renault Power Unit?
Could Porsche be considering redirecting budget from the World Stamina Championship, a figure believed to be in the region of $100M towards a power unit development plan in Formula One? Paying Renault to use their technology as a basis for involvement would minimise the risk of ‘doing a Honda’ ensuring reasonable spectacle from the word go.
One thing is for sure, Porsche are seeking a fresh challenge, drivers, unlike fans, don’t attend race meetings in team wear when they are not contesting for the joy of it. Perhaps in this case Two+Two might just equal Five.
Thanks to Sean Bull for pulling together incredible concept artwork for a Crimson Bull Racing Porsche mash up.
