Breaking news
Formula 1
Red Bull could be saved by 'unbranded' Renault plan
Red Bull's Formula 1 future could be saved by a deal to run unbranded Renault engines in 2016, Motorsport.com has learned.
Jonathan Noble
Published: Nov 2, 2015, 12:01 PM
Copy link
Share on Viber
With efforts to secure Mercedes or Ferrari engines having failed, and McLaren blocking a Honda deal, Red Bull is running out of options.
The breakdown in relations between Red Bull and Renault is such that insiders suggest it almost impossible for the partnership to continue in its current guise for another season.
However, sources have revealed that Renault chairman Carlos Ghosn is considering a proposal to sell Red Bull unbranded engines next year in a bid to allow the outfit to remain in F1.
Read Also:
- McLaren justifies Red Bull/Honda deal veto: "We are not a charity"
A decision to commit to the idea could be made as early as this week.
It is unclear if the power units will be rebadged with a different name as part of the plan, or will run with no name at all.
When asked in Mexico if Renault was now the only option, team boss Christian Horner hinted at an alternative plan, like the unbranded engines, could be available.
“There are not a lot of options, but there may be something else,” he said.
Honda keen
Horner has claimed that Honda is eager to sort out a deal with Red Bull, but that McLaren chairman Ron Dennis has made clear his strong opposition to it.
“Honda are very keen, but unfortunately they have a contractual status that is between them and McLaren,” said Horner.
“It is nothing to do with us. It is for them to decide among themselves what they want to do.”
When asked if he had spoken to McLaren, Horner said: “I haven't spoken to anybody from McLaren other than Ron Dennis, who is the one guy who has the right of say there.
"And his views were quite clear.”
Time running out
With rivals teams already pushing hard with their car designs for next year, Horner said that his team needs to know in the next few weeks what engine it will use if it is going to make next year's first pre-season test.
“At the moment we are right on the limit to be at the first test,” he explained.
“The team in Milton Keynes have demonstrated their ability to work to massively tight deadlines, and I am sure we will be able to meet whatever targets we need to, as long as we come to a decision in the next couple of weeks.”
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 Raikkonen sees no need for Bottas talks after Mexico clash
Next article Ferrari says Mexico disaster "a good lesson"
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
F1 Brazil GP: Friday schedule, weather forecast and how to watch
Formula 1
Formula 1
Sao Paulo GP
16 h
F1 Brazil GP: Friday schedule, weather forecast and how to watch
Max Verstappen jokes about rain threat in Brazil: "I've installed antivirus now!"
Formula 1
Formula 1
Sao Paulo GP
17 h
Max Verstappen jokes about rain threat in Brazil: "I've installed antivirus now!"
Latest news
Carlos Sainz recalls Charles Leclerc battles: “We always managed to find a solution”
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
Sao Paulo GP
16 min
Carlos Sainz recalls Charles Leclerc battles: “We always managed to find a solution”
New WRC constructor offers update on 2027 car development
WRC
WRC WRC
Rally Saudi Arabia
54 min
New WRC constructor offers update on 2027 car development
Why the 2026 WEC season has proven to be challenging for Ferrari
WEC
WEC WEC
Monza
1 h
Why the 2026 WEC season has proven to be challenging for Ferrari
Marc Marquez jokes Alex would be a 'bad brother' if he risked title fight
MotoGP
MGP MotoGP
Qatar GP
1 h
Marc Marquez jokes Alex would be a 'bad brother' if he risked title fight
Feature
Discover prime content
How F1’s rules got to be so complex
Formula 1
By Pat Symonds
How F1’s rules got to be so complex
Top 10 F1 cars of the 1960s
Formula 1
By Kevin Turner
Top 10 F1 cars of the 1960s
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