Red Bull Formula 1 team has shown its commitment to the idea of producing power units for itself. It will brighten its chances of exploiting the opportunity of new Formula 1 regulation, enacting in 2025.
Recently, the team revealed the details of the deal with its power unit providers. Red Bull will be handling Honda’s engine unit from next year. It will take over and control further affairs of the engine project.
The acquisition has been enforced through major investment at its headquarters. The team envision a broader and more compelling future at Formula 1. It has established a powertrains unit to reinforce its long term goals
Christian Horner, Red Bull team principal, asserted that it is the best time for the team to invest and layout future course of action to build its own power units. He insisted that it is high time before Formula 1 unfolds 2025 engine regulations.
“It needs to be a long-term view, because obviously the investment into the facilities to gear up for this are quite significant,” explained Horner.
“You’ve both got a short-term scenario of the existing regulations, and then of course whatever the new regulations are. We need to be in a position to take that on as well.”
He added: “We will have a facility capable of designing and operating the next generation of engines with a facility that will be invested within here.”
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Horner believes Red Bull is not dependent on an engine manufacturer to produce one for itself. Although, team is open to the idea
Horner says a tie-up with a manufacturer would not be essential if Red Bull was to produce its own engine from 2025, but it was open to the idea.
“If an exciting partner comes along, then of course it would make sense to look at it very seriously, whether that be an OEM or another type of partner, a battery manufacturer or whatever,” he said.
“It really depends what the engines are.”
Horner on Red Bull decision
F1 chiefs and engine manufacturers have begun discussions about framing new engine regulations from 2025, with the series committing to a new hybrid concept.
Horner said that the future power units would not be completely different to what is currently used. It would certainly boost Red Bull’s hopes of committing to a long term project.
“Of course, what we will need to understand is what are those new regulations,” he explained.
“Obviously, the sooner the better for everybody. But one assumes from the latest discussions with the FIA that it is likely to be a combustion engine.
“There’s going to be, probably, 100 percent, sustainable fuels. There will probably be a slightly bigger emphasis on the energy recovery system.
“So the topography of what the engine is going to be isn’t dramatically removed from where we are, it’s just evolved.
“Therefore, the facility that we put in place for the current engine will have relevance of course to the future engines.”
