Red Bull has competitive engine 'for first time'

Joas van Wingerden

Monday 4 March 2019 17:10

Red Bull has a "competitive engine" for the first time in the teams Formula 1 existence, according to owner Dietrich Mateschitz. Red Bull are factory partners with Honda in 2019 after 12 years with Renault, which featured four years of title success, but ended in bitter acrimony.

The dawning of the V6 Hybrid era came with Red Bull on the crest of four consecutive double title successes.

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However, Renault's failure to match Mercedes, in particular, since 2014 strained relationships between supplier and customer, which finally snapped last year.

Mateschitz was in Barcelona last week as Red Bull tested with Honda for the first time and he echoed positive noises coming from the team about their new power units.

"The tests were a confirmation of our positive expectations, both in terms of the performance of the cars and the work of Honda," the Austrian billionaire told Speed Week.

"The cooperation is currently very satisfactory and promises much success.

"For the first time, we have a competitive engine."

Mateschitz also said Red Bull is set up well for the future with its key designer Adrian Newey, who in recent years has stepped away from F1 somewhat.

"Adrian is again so motivated that he will remain in Formula 1 for a long time," Mateschitz said.

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