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
How Red Bull's crucial strategy call helped Max Verstappen win the "Maxico Grand Prix"
Formula 1
Formula 1
Mexican GP
1 h
How Red Bull's crucial strategy call helped Max Verstappen win the "Maxico Grand Prix"
Isack Hadjar blames himself for George Russell clash that “ruined” his Mexico GP
Formula 1
Formula 1
Mexican GP
2 h
Isack Hadjar blames himself for George Russell clash that “ruined” his Mexico GP
Latest news
How Red Bull's crucial strategy call helped Max Verstappen win the "Maxico Grand Prix"
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
Mexican GP
1 h
How Red Bull's crucial strategy call helped Max Verstappen win the "Maxico Grand Prix"
Toyota explains call to run Celica and Yaris models in WRC 2027
WRC
WRC WRC 1 h
Toyota explains call to run Celica and Yaris models in WRC 2027
Isack Hadjar blames himself for George Russell clash that “ruined” his Mexico GP
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
Mexican GP
2 h
Isack Hadjar blames himself for George Russell clash that “ruined” his Mexico GP
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