Team boss hints that the FIA's planned low-cost engine might be their best bet to stay in F 1 in the long-term
Thursday 5 November 2015 11:43, UK
Christian Horner has hinted that the FIA's planned low-cost engine might be Red Bull's best bet to stay in F 1 in the long-term, after admitting there are now "not a lot of options" left elsewhere.
With the clock ticking on a decision by Dietrich Mateschitz whether to stay in the sport, it seems that, as far as an engine deal is concerned, the former world champions have very little room left for manoeuvre.
Mercedes have turned them down and Ferrari are also apparently against supplying their rivals - even with an old spec. of engine - leaving Renault and Honda.
Even though Honda hardly meets Mateschitz's need for a competitive engine, it has entered the frame recently - a sign of the team's desire to continue, if not necessarily that of their billionaire owner.
Yet Honda have an exclusive contract with McLaren and with Ron Dennis against any deal with Red Bull, Horner is pessimistic that one can be achieved.
"I haven't spoken to anyone at McLaren other than Ron Dennis, who is the one guy who has the right of say there. And his views were quite clear," he told reporters after the Mexican GP.
"Honda are very keen, but unfortunately they have a contractual status that is between them and McLaren. It's nothing to do with us; it's for them to decide amongst themselves what they want to do."
That leaves current supplier Renault, who Red Bull have sought to free themselves from after losing faith in the French manufacturer's ability to build a competitive hybrid engine.
The status of their contract, which expires next year, remains unclear, with a re-badged Renault power unit in 2016 another potential option.
When asked about Renault, all Horner said was that "there's not a lot of options".
He added, however, that there's "maybe something else" - seemingly a reference to the new low-cost engine the FIA recently proposed for introduction in 2017.
Certainly Horner is highly supportive of the initiative, which is also backed by F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone and came after Ferrari vetoed plans to place a price cap of €12million per season on engines.
The current price tag of around €20million might not be an issue for Red Bull, but availability clearly is - with Horner pointing out that engine suppliers are under no obligation to do so.
"I think it's crucial," he said of the proposed engine - a 2.2-litre twin-turbo V6 has been suggested, which would cost around €6-7million - "because we're demonstrating quite clearly that there is no regulation that dictates engine suppliers have to supply, let alone at a competitive price.
"An independent engine for the future of Formula 1 is, for us, a no-brainer because if you can't get engines elsewhere then you can't race.
"For Formula 1, it's important to have a competitive, economical engine. And if it can't be a current engine, then it needs to be another engine."
