Wounded Porsche-FIA relationship 'absolutely not' a factor in Formula E commitment

Porsche Motorsport vice president Thomas Laudenbach has stressed that the team's current issues with the FIA played "absolutely" no part in the manufacturer's decision to commit to the Gen4 era. 

It was announced earlier ahead of this weekend's Shanghai E-Prix that the German manufacturer has signed up for the Gen4 era of Formula E, meaning Porsche will remain in the all-electric series until at least the end of 2030.

This decision has been made despite current disagreements with the FIA, who Porsche has appealed against twice in the space of the past 11 months – both incidents involving Antonio Felix da Costa. 

In the London season finale last season, Da Costa lost a podium after being slapped with a staggering three-minute time penalty, due to a tyre being below the minimum pressure. 

This was caused by a slow puncture after hitting debris, yet the tyre was given the all-clear by the FIA during a red flag period. 

Porsche saw that appeal rejected by the International Court of Appeal four months on from the end of Season 9.

'Very clear answer'

Most recently, Da Costa was disqualified from the opening race of the Misano E-Prix several hours after claiming an emotional victory. 

The former champion was disqualified following a technical infraction, which the governing body outlined as not being performance enhancing.

Porsche has appealed Da Costa's disqualification, with a verdict expected next month. There has been further in-race incidents between the Stuttgart-based team and the FIA, yet peace talks between the two organisations appear to have taken place.

Nevertheless, RacingNews365 asked Laudenbach if Porsche's recent incidents with the FIA played a role in the decision to commit to Gen4. 

"Absolutely not," Laudenbach stressed to RacingNews365. "No, very clear answer. No.

"I mean, sometimes you have issues which you want to clarify together, which we do.

"But it's got nothing to do with our long-term engagement with the commitment to the series. So answer is absolutely not. No."