Since Honda is leaving Formula 1 at the end of the 2021 season, Red Bull Racing will take over the development of the drive unit. In their 1.5-year F1 career, the Milton-Keynes team has previously acquired engines from various suppliers, including Renault, Ferrari and Cosworth.
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Red Bull team boss Christian Horner says the ability to produce your own engines will give the Austrian team a boost. The powertrains project will also offer online teams another opportunity to choose their genset suppliers.
Formula 1 F1 – Styria Grand Prix – Red Bull Ring, Spielberg, Styria, Austria – June 27, 2021, Red Bulls Max Verstappen in action during the pool race over REUTERS / Darko Vojinovic
There are currently three manufacturers of aggregates in F1. And since Mercedes and Ferrari are the only ones who have customer teams in Formula 1, they have the power to dictate important decisions from their customer teams.
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Red Bull becomes the only independent manufacturer in Formula 1: Horner
In the most recent episode of Beyond the Grid, Horner talked about his hopes that the Austrian team could one day deliver gensets to others on the grid. The introduction of RB Powertrains would also be advantageous for Formula 1, as it will have another supplier on the network.
Formula 1 F1 – Portuguese Grand Prix – Algarve International Circuit – Portimao, Portugal – April 30, 2021, Red Bull Racing Team Principal Christian Horner speaks about REUTERS at the FIA / Handout press conference
“I don’t understand why not because Red Bull will be the only independent manufacturer in Formula 1. So we don’t have to say that it has to be driven with orange juice or V6 or V4 or whatever, ”said Horner about the possibility of other teams using their powertrains.
Horner continues: “It’s about Formula 1. It has to sound right, has to generate the necessary horsepower. Yes, it has to deal with environmental issues, but there is no requirement for someone to say that an engine has to be like this.
“Well, I think it was music to Stefano and Ross’ ears that suddenly they are no longer only obliged to the OEMs and the manufacturers.”
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Can the Austrian team win their second home race?
Red Bull is currently leading the Mercedes constructors’ championship with 40 points. The Austrian team is a winning streak of four consecutive races after winning the first of two home races just last weekend. After his sovereign victory at the Styrian Grand Prix, Max Verstappen increased his lead in the drivers’ standings over Lewis Hamilton by 18 points.
The Austrian Grand Prix offers the Dutchman another opportunity to extend his lead. It would also be a success for Team Milton Keynes if they won their home race for the first time in a row.
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Can Red Bull continue its dominance in Austria? Comment below to let us know.
The post Horner explains the main reason why F1 is no longer “obliged” to Ferrari or Mercedes first appeared on monter-une-startup.
