Red Bull team boss Christian Horner issues warning to F1 over new manufacturer interest

Formula 1

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Horner issues warning to F1 over new manufacturer interest

Volkswagen Group is involved in talks over new engine regulations

Ian Parkes & Ewan Gale

Friday 23 July 2021 10:30

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Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has warned F1 the sport should not 'bend itself out of shape' in order to attract new manufacturers.

Discussions are underway over the future of the sport surrounding new power unit regulations aimed for introduction in 2025 or 2026, with the Volkswagen Group known to be involved.

Horner is now part of the talks on Red Bull's behalf as the team is embarking on its own powertrain venture when Honda withdraws at the end of the current season.

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There is an argument to suggest taking on the views of the Volkswagen Group is a waste of time should it ultimately decide not to join F1.

"There is always that risk," replied Horner. "So therefore I don’t think we should bend ourselves out of shape to accommodate a specific manufacturer.

"What we have to do is come up with something that is right for Formula 1, that’s right for the long-term future of the sport. We have seen manufacturers come and go over generations.

"The most consistent factor has obviously been Ferrari that has been there from the start. The fundamental question is where do want Formula 1 to be, where does it fall.

"If you follow the theory of where OEMs are going, electrification, then we could end up in Formula E in eight or night years' time.

"Now that isn’t Formula 1. Formula 1 for me is about noise, it’s about entertainment, it’s about the fastest cars in the world."

Combustion has a future - Horner

F1 chief technical officer Pat Symonds is leading a team to develop carbon-neutral synthetic fuels in order to reduce the environmental impact of F1 engines with a view to retaining combustion as a part of the sport.

With the chance of combining both elements, Horner would like to pursue higher-revving, emotive engines for the next regulation set.

"The fact we are going this bio-fuel route with the sustainable fuels, the combustion engine does have a future," said Horner.

"There is no reason to think why [we should] not introduce high-revving engines that sound fantastic and are doing it in an environmentally friendly manner, and the biofuels and sustainable fuels enable you to do that.

"So the owners of Formula 1 and the governing body need to decide where do they want to place it.

"On the one hand you’ve got full electrification; then you can look at a middle ground that is effectively some form of hybrid that potentially may not have relevance longer term.

"Or you say Formula 1, actually, we’re here to entertain, the combustion engine does have a future as part of Formula 1 but we are going to do it in a sustainable and environmentally friendly manner.

"If people want to be part of that then great and if they don’t then so be it."