F1 ’not logical’ for Porsche

German carmaker Porsche has revealed it considered entering formula one.

Instead, the iconic marque is preparing to field a prototype design in the first-tier Le Mans-style sports car world championship in 2014, and Red Bull’s Mark Webber has been linked to the project.

But Porsche executive Wolfgang Hatz told Autocar: "Porsche has always lived for the transfer of racing to production cars.

"For that reason it was clear two or three years ago we had to be back in high-level motor sport, and it was a choice between top-flight sports cars or formula one.

"The final decision was the only logical one. F1 was an alternative, but the road relevance is not there," he added.

Hatz said there are other reasons Porsche decided against formula one.

"Also, there is a lot of publicity around politics and tyres, but not so much about the engines and chassis.

"The aero, too, is incredible, but so extreme that it cannot result in any development in our road car understanding," he added.