Porsche is "seriously considering" returning to Formula 1 as an engine supplier under the proposed '21 regulations, its finance chief said, according to Adam Cooper of AUTOSPORT. Lutz Meschke, deputy chair of Porsche's exec board and member of the board for finances and IT, met with F1 Managing Dir Ross Brawn and other F1 execs at the Italian Grand Prix. Porsche will end its LMP1 program at the end of '17, having "decided it does not get sufficient return for investment equivalent to an F1 budget." It has committed to entering Formula E with a works-backed team from the '19-20 season, but it has "also sent representatives to the series of recent meetings" about the '21 F1 engine regulations. It has been "encouraged by F1's moves" toward "cheaper and simpler technology." Meschke said, "F1 could be one of the right places. As you know, Formula E is very important for us now, and F1 is always a good topic to think about." Asked if the current plans for a twin-turbo V6 with reduced technology "could attract Porsche to F1," Meschke said, "Absolutely. We have to cut costs in F1, and it's a good way to reach this target." He added that "discussions are around being a supplier," so forming a works team was not on the agenda (AUTOSPORT, 9/5).
