Horner relief at Ferrari change of heart over power unit freeze

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has welcomed Ferrari's apparent u-turn over a potential power unit freeze.

With Red Bull looking to take over the current Honda system when the Japanese manufacturer leaves Formula 1 at the end of 2021, Horner had suggested a freeze from 2022 prior to the introduction of a new PU in 2026.

Mercedes was the only engine manufacturer to initially back the proposal, with Ferrari and Renault against the idea.

But after the Scuderia's team principal Mattia Binotto announced it would now be willing to accommodate a freeze, this has come as a welcome boost for Horner and Red Bull.

"I think that it is positive news and I think it is positive news for Formula 1," he said.

"I think all of the manufacturers, all of the CEOs of the automotive industry recognise that the investment of cost in these engines, particularly with a new technology coming for 2026, maybe 2025, it doesn't make sense to keep investing hundreds of millions of dollars in these engines.

"To freeze, the only thing you have got to do though is there has to be some kind of mechanism so that if somebody has undershot either over the winter or once during the season, they have the ability to correct that.

"Otherwise, you are locking in a disadvantage, but from a cost point of view, from our point of view, it is a very positive thing."

Red Bull and Renault endured a strained relationship during the latter stages of its time working together, and now the French team appear to be the last hurdle to negotiate in the push for the freeze.

Horner feels it would be the sensible choice for the manufacturer, adding: "Well, one would have thought that for Renault, it would be completely logical as well but let's see. It is encouraging to see that Ferrari is backing that position."

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