Porsche’s new boss has played down speculation the marque might soon enter formula one.

In October, Matthias Mueller sparked the rumours by saying Volkswagen brands including Audi and Porsche would have a “round-table” to contemplate a F1 foray.

Porsche’s research and development boss Wolfgang Durheimer then said Porsche “can afford” to enter formula one “with its own team”.

But in a new interview with Germany’s Westfalen Blatt newspaper, chief executive Mueller is now playing down that possibility.

“Formula one is a drivers’ world championship, with the focus on the sponsors and the manufacturers only secondary,” he said.

“For us, this is a clear drawback.

“The second drawback for such a long-term investment is the unclear rules for the future.

“But if the VW Group was interested, then Porsche would surely be the brand that would work best for this,” added Mueller.

After forays in the 50s and 60s, German marque Porsche supplied engines to McLaren in the 80s. Its most recent F1 project was the failed collaboration in 1991 with Arrows.

Jun.16 (GMM)  Williams is reportedly set to retain an unchanged driver lineup for the 2011 season.

Germany’s Auto Motor und Sport reports that while rookie Nico Hulkenberg is regarded as a long-term investment for the British team, Williams is also happy with the performance of the Brazilian veteran Rubens Barrichello.

“Without Rubens, we would be nowhere,” team co-owner and principal Sir Frank Williams is quoted as saying.

The lineups at top teams Ferrari, McLaren, Mercedes and Red Bull will also stay the same for 2011, while Robert Kubica looks likely to stay at Renault.

Rookie Vitaly Petrov has done enough in 2010 to also keep his seat, but Auto Motor und Sport says his sponsorship money must continue to flow.

“I’m afraid,” said Mercedes reserve driver Nick Heidfeld, “that the top ten seats (for 2011) are gone already.”

Meanwhile, if Force India has a vacancy, it will almost certainly go to the promising reserve driver Paul di Resta, and Toro Rosso would select from Red Bull’s young driver pool, such as the Australian Daniel Ricciardo.

Both of Sauber’s race seats might be up for grabs for 2011, but if that is the case, the market’s leading pay drivers – like the Mexican GP2 driver Sergio Perez – are regarded to be at the head of the queue.