Breaking news
Formula 1
Red Bull sets Austria engine decision deadline
Red Bull has set itself the target of sorting out its 2019 engine plans by the Austrian Grand Prix next month, as it weighs up whether or not to switch to Honda.
Jonathan Noble
Edited: Jun 7, 2018, 10:48 AM
Copy link
Share on Viber
The Milton Keynes-based team does not have an engine contract for next year, and has made no secret of the fact that it wants to see progress from current supplier Renault if it is carry on with the French marque.
Talks have already begun with Honda to evaluate a potential switch to the Japanese manufacturer, which has made solid progress with its engine since last year.
With this weekend’s Canadian Grand Prix viewed as a crunch time for Red Bull's call – with both Renault and Honda due to deliver upgrades – the team is clear that it will not wait long before knowing what it needs to do.
Both Honda and Renault’s upgrades are believed to be worth more than 20bhp – and Red Bull will almost certainly commit to the manufacturer that it senses has made the best progress.
Speaking to Motorsport.com, Red Bull motorsport advisor Helmut Marko suggested that a decision was likely in the next few weeks – which could also trigger a decision from Daniel Ricciardo about whether he stays too.
"We're in talks,” said Marko. “Our internal schedule plans that we want to have a decision on the engine issue by the Grand Prix in Austria. If possible, then also on the driver.
“I'm sure there'll be a decision in Austria. There's not that many possibilities.”
While Renault is poised to deliver improvements in power, it remains unclear if the full scope of its developments will be unleashed – amid ongoing concerns about the reliability of its MGU-K.
Until it is happy that the MGU-K can run trouble-free it may hold the newer version back, even though it is giving away obvious performance.
Honda’s upgrades for Canada revolve around improved power from its internal combustion engine, which it believes can be unleashed without risking reliability.
Additional reporting by Maria Reyer
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 could have high-speed fix for Canada
Next article Honda president’s tears showed F1 delight, says Gasly
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 Brazilian GP: Sunday schedule, weather forecast and how to watch
Formula 1
Formula 1
Sao Paulo GP
10 h
F1 Brazilian GP: Sunday schedule, weather forecast and how to watch
Max Verstappen watched Premier League football during Brazilian GP qualifying delay: "12 hours I'll never get back"
Formula 1
Formula 1
Sao Paulo GP
11 h
Max Verstappen watched Premier League football during Brazilian GP qualifying delay: "12 hours I'll never get back"
Latest news
How Kyle Larson can lose the NASCAR Cup championship at Homestead
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Martinsville II
2 h
How Kyle Larson can lose the NASCAR Cup championship at Homestead
Justin Allgaier praised for his impact as leader and mentor in NASCAR O'Reilly garage
NASCAR O'Reilly
NOAP NASCAR O'Reilly
Homestead-Miami
3 h
Justin Allgaier praised for his impact as leader and mentor in NASCAR O'Reilly garage
Justin Allgaier wins 2026 NASCAR O'Reilly championship as Brandon Jones wins Homestead finale
NASCAR O'Reilly
NOAP NASCAR O'Reilly
Homestead-Miami
7 h
Justin Allgaier wins 2026 NASCAR O'Reilly championship as Brandon Jones wins Homestead finale
Andrew Patterson crashes into Homestead sand barrels, red-flags NASCAR O’Reilly finale
NASCAR O'Reilly
NOAP NASCAR O'Reilly
Homestead-Miami
8 h
Andrew Patterson crashes into Homestead sand barrels, red-flags NASCAR O’Reilly finale
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
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