Christian Horner urges F1 to approach engine changes with a "clean sheet"

Horner in Bahrain for pre-season testing — Photo: © LAT Images

Red Bull

Horner urges F1 to approach engine changes with a "clean sheet"

New engines will be introduced mid-decade

Ewan Gale

Tuesday 13 July 2021 05:00

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Christian Horner has urged F1 to start with a "clean sheet" when deciding on specifications for the new breed of engine.

Current and prospective power unit manufacturers met at the Austrian Grand Prix to discuss the pathway for the future regulations, set to be brought into the sport in 2025 or 2026.

Red Bull will be an independent engine supplier by that point having agreed on a deal to take over Honda's IP when the Japanese manufacturer withdraws from the sport at the end of the season.

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Asked if interests for the new units differed from those of a manufacturer, Horner said: “I would say any new manufacturer coming in would be keen to have a clean sheet I would have thought.

"You can understand existing manufacturers, having invested in these engines, wanting to roll over IP into the new engine.

“But of course, this current engine is extremely expensive and how do you reduce the cost?

"At the moment, in all of the discussions I have sat in, it hasn’t been achieved so I think that it is not as easy as just implementing a cost cap because of course, an engine is much harder to police when combustion applies to many other aspects, especially if you are an OEM owned team or engine manufacturer in F1.

“So I think to start with a clean sheet that can be clearly controlled, that you choke the amount of dyno and rig time that you are allowed, that encourages creativity but there needs to also be a safety net, that if a manufacturer gets it wrong that they are able to effectively have the opportunity to catch up.

F1 engines will impact chassis

A complication, as ever, with agreeing to new engine designs is the importance of the units to the overall making of an F1, with aerodynamic packaging and chassis design impacted.

With the current units lasting over a decade in the sport by the time the regulations change, Horner has highlighted the importance of making the correct decisions.

“This engine, we are going to be with it for the next 10 years or so, so that is going to take us to 2036 and we need to come up with something that is relevant and right for the sport," he added.

“Of course, it is not just about the engine. It is going to have to integrate with a car that is a low-drag car.

“So it has an enormous impact on the chassis side as well so therefore a clean sheet for 2026, for me, I think for Formula One would be the right way to go.”