Mercedes F1 Boss, Toto Wolff, believes Volkswagen has the opportunity to enter Formula 1 with Red Bull. The German brand can enter as an engine supplier, despite RB’s plan to establish its own power system.
Earlier in February, Red Bull announced to push for its own branded engine unit called Red Bull Powertrains. It shared its plans to acquire the IP for Honda power units. The Japanese engine manufacturer plans to separate its way from F1 sport at the end of the sport.
The new division is reportedly to be based at Milton Keynes, where Red Bull is located. It plans to enter F1 as engine manufacturer in 2025, when the new generation regulations will hit the sport.
Red Bull announced signing a senior figure from Mercedes High Performance Powertrains, Ben Hodgkinson.
Christian Honer spoke of the Red Bull ambition to take be accounted for its own fate. He spoke on the teams’ desire to control all the associated variables. He said, “The ultimate expression” our desire “is the development of a Red Bull power unit to meet the next generation of F1 engine regulations”.
Despite RB’s current desire to push for its own design in 2025, the team has been associate with the German group, Volkswagen. It has also expressed its potential interest in 2025 F1 regulations for a possible entry.
Read More: Red Bull entry as an engine manufacturer
Toto Wolff, Mercedes team principal, said that Red Bull’s strategy is of great value. But he still believes that doors are still open for big brands, Volkswagen, Porsche or Audi, to grab the opportunity.
“On one side, they are keen on doing their own power unit, but it’s no secret that the Volkswagen Group with their two brands is looking at Formula 1, and has been part of the discussions,” Wolff said.
“So [Red Bull] can at any moment decide if they want to stick to their own power unit, or go with a top German manufacturer.
“On the other side, the arrangement they have on the IP side with Honda is really makes sense. They are taking over the IP from Honda and obviously developing the new power unit into 2025.
“It could stay within Red Bull power units, or it could go to Porsche/Audi. So overall, I think it makes sense what they do.”
Wolff said Volkswagen and Red Bull’s prior connection makes sense and it could help both for a possible tie-up in future,
“I think it’s very early stages,” Wolff said. “They’ve expressed an interest, and that was public, and in that respect, I would very much hope that they enter the sport.
“I’m saying would, because I have no idea and it is none of my business. But they will benefit from all these relationships and intellectual property carried forward.”
