Porsche says it is interested in joining Formula 1 when the new 2021 engine is introduced, having recently committed to the Formula E series.
The German marque, which is part of the Volkswagen Group, recently ended its involvement in the World Endurance Championship's LMP1 class, which demands budgets close to that of an F1 team, but with far less marketing and sponsorship return, to instead commit to a works Formula E team.
But the company has been actively involved in discussions about F1's new engine, which is due to replace the current hybrid V6 power unit currently in use.
Lutz Meschke, Porsche's financial chief and deputy chairman of the executive board, believes F1 "could be one of the right places" for Porsche's motorsport programme in the near future following a meeting with F1 bosses during the Italian Grand Prix weekend.
"F1 is always a good topic to think about and I think we are in quite good discussions regarding the new engine," he told Motorsport. "F1 could be one of the right places."
When asked if the new engine, which is to be based on a twin-turbo V6 with less hybrid technology and therefore far cheaper, would be of interest, Meschke replied: "Absolutely. We have to cut costs in F1, and it's a good way to reach this target."
Meschke added that their involvement would be purely as an engine supplier, not as a works team.