Autoweek: Porsche unlikely to make IndyCar jump

According to an Autoweek report, Porsche research and development board member Wolfgang Durheimer says that a possible future jump to the IndyCar Series is “not very likely” for the German company.

The interview with Autoweek’s Mac Morrison has Durheimer on record stating that while Porsche recognizes the history of Indy racing and its own relationship with team owner Roger Penske (who will run a Porsche-powered operation in Grand Am next season alongside his IndyCar squad), their partnership with the American Le Mans Series “is better suited to the demands of [their] customers.”

Whether or not this is for real or just a smoke screen (after all, we didn’t initially know who was taking part in the IRL engine powwows besides Honda), this is still noteworthy. Keep in mind that three of the companies mentioned in the article — Audi, VW and Porsche — are all basically under one umbrella. Just because Porsche may not be involved doesn’t mean the parent company can’t strike a engine deal with the IRL through either of its other two brands.