F1 engines must 'entertain' otherwise "we should all go and do Formula E" - Christian Horner

Red Bull

F1 engines must 'entertain' otherwise "we should all go and do Formula E" - Horner

F1's engine suppliers held a meeting to discuss the future of technology at the Austrian Grand Prix

Ian Parkes & Ewan Gale

Thursday 8 July 2021 08:00

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Christian Horner believes the new breed of F1 power units aimed for introduction in 2025 must-have "emotion" or otherwise teams should "all go and do Formula E".

Current F1 engine suppliers and prospective OEMs including Porsche and Audi were all present at a meeting over the Austrian Grand Prix weekend to discuss the future of F1's powertrains.

Speaking after the race, which Red Bull won to extend its winning streak to five in a row, Horner said: "I think it was a constructive dialogue.

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"It is important we find the right solution, both in cost and product for the future of F1. I think all the right stakeholders are involved in that discussion and it is important to work collectively for the good of the sport."

On Red Bull's favoured option for the future of F1's powertrains, Horner added: "I think we see that costs of the current engine are extremely prohibitive.

"It was not thought of when this engine was conceived and I think there's a fantastic opportunity for what could arguably be the engine for 10 years when it is introduced to do something a little different.

"I think it still needs to address the emotion, the sound -- yes of course it has to tick the sustainable boxes but I think it still needs to be entertaining and I think that otherwise, we should all go and do Formula E.

"Hopefully, the collective minds can come up with something attractive for 2025 or what would be more sensible is do the job properly for 2026."

A "shame" Red Bull can't race at home more

Both of Max Verstappen's victories on Red Bull home soil were completed in dominant fashion, with a combined winning margin of 53 seconds across the two races.

Horner joked he wishes the Austrian venue could hold more races after the form the team showed.

"A really dominant couple of weekends for us but it has worked well at this track," commented Horner.

"A shame we don't have more races here because I know now we head to a circuit that has very much been a Mercedes stronghold for the last seven years."