Breaking news
Formula 1
Red Bull's first choice is to take over Honda's F1 project
Red Bull says its preferred option for Formula 1 engines in 2022 is to take over the Honda project and run the power units itself.
Jonathan Noble
Edited: Oct 15, 2020, 10:16 AM
Copy link
Share on Viber
With Honda having announced that it is to quit F1 at the end of 2021, Red Bull is having to weigh up what it does for a power supply longer term.
While Renault could be forced to supply Red Bull with engines as part of F1’s sporting regulations, the team's motorsport advisor Helmut Marko says that the Milton Keynes outfit is actually eyeing another option.
It says that, providing the FIA agrees to an engine freeze from the start of 2022, which means Red Bull would not have to worry with developing the power unit, then it could take over the entire Honda project.
Marko suggests that factory space available near its factory, plus the close proximity of Honda's current UK facilities, make such an option realistic.
Speaking to German channel Sport1, Marko said: “It’s a very complex subject. Just as complex as these engines are.
“We would favour, provided the talks with Honda are positive, that we take over the IP rights and everything that is necessary, to then prepare and deploy the engines ourselves in Milton Keynes.
“But this is only possible on condition that the engines are frozen by the first race in 2022 at the latest. We cannot afford further development, neither technically nor financially. That is a prerequisite.”
Read Also:
- Brawn hopes 2026 rules will tempt Honda back to F1
- Could Red Bull really take on Honda’s engines in 2022?
- Red Bull, AlphaTauri will have to use same engine - Horner
Marko said that Red Bull’s preference to go down the Honda route was based on it feeling that its chances of fighting for the world championship would be compromised by taking customer engines.
“All engine manufacturers have their own team and that means they develop the engine around their chassis,” he said.
“We would get something where we would have to adapt our chassis and our ideas secondary, and we would be confronted with a technical solution that we would have to accept.
“That's why the Honda solution is [our favourite]. Nevertheless, we are exploring all possibilities.
“According to the FIA regulations, every engine manufacturer has committed itself to supplying other teams. If something like this is to be a possibility for us, then it must fit the overall situation, and it must make us competitive. A happy forced marriage is not an issue for us.”
Additional reporting by Christian Nimmervoll
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article Renault must become “addicts to success” - Abiteboul
Next article Schumacher and Hamilton compared, by those who worked with both
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Jonathan Noble
Brundle awarded OBE in King’s New Year’s honours
Formula 1
Formula 1
Brundle awarded OBE in King’s New Year’s honours
The new rules dilemma that will define the 2025 F1 season
Formula 1
Formula 1
The new rules dilemma that will define the 2025 F1 season
Verstappen issues Red Bull title warning in push for RB21 progress
Formula 1
Formula 1
Australian GP
Verstappen issues Red Bull title warning in push for RB21 progress
More from
Red Bull Racing
Red Bull drivers fear Mexico start, Max Verstappen jokes: “A Le Mans start would be just as quick”
Formula 1
Formula 1
Mexican GP
Red Bull drivers fear Mexico start, Max Verstappen jokes: “A Le Mans start would be just as quick”
Latest news
Charles Leclerc blames Mexico GP clash on track layout - Fred Vasseur disagrees
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
Mexican GP
10 min
Charles Leclerc blames Mexico GP clash on track layout - Fred Vasseur disagrees
Kalle Rovanpera and Ott Tanak set for WRC return as Toyota announces bumper 2027 line-up
WRC
WRC WRC 26 min
Kalle Rovanpera and Ott Tanak set for WRC return as Toyota announces bumper 2027 line-up
Why NASCAR's indecision led to Dodge's decision to return to Cup
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Martinsville II
3 h
Why NASCAR's indecision led to Dodge's decision to return to Cup
Dodge announces return to NASCAR Cup Series in 2027
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup 6 h
Dodge announces return to NASCAR Cup Series in 2027
Feature
Discover prime content
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe