Red Bull to test first power unit before end of the year

Red Bull

Red Bull to test first power unit before end of the year

Honda is assisting Red Bull this year despite withdrawing from F1

Ewan Gale

Tuesday 12 April 2022 08:00

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Christian Horner has revealed Red Bull's first in-house manufactured power unit will be tested before the end of the year.

Red Bull Powertrains will be F1's newest manufacturer after taking over Honda's IP following its withdrawal from the sport last year.

The Japanese manufacturer is continuing its support of the team this year whilst vital infrastructure is implemented before beginning to fully hand over the reins ahead of the 2023 season.

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Outlining the timescale for Red Bull's operations, Horner explained: "We will move into our new facility in May and the first Red Bull engine will run on the dyno by the end of the year.

"So they're making great progress. It's exciting times, it's a super exciting project.

"We've attracted some phenomenal talent from all corners of industry, and it's a new chapter. But 2026, whilst it seems a long way away, it’s actually a lot closer than you think."

Horner calls for talks ahead of PU newcomers

Red Bull is heavily touted to partner with Porsche when F1's new PU regulations are introduced in 2026, with VW Group stablemate Audi also slated as a "possible entry".

Among a number of concessions within the rules is the removal of the MGU-H.

Asked, though, whether he felt more needed to be done, Horner said: "The framework that actually exists within the power unit regulations is reasonable from a newcomer status perspective, which obviously Red Bull Powertrains will be for 2026.

"I think that it's modest hours and it's modest… I think there's $10million in the first two years and $5million in the third year as an allowance for a newcomer."

Suggesting the combined $15m figure was "restrictive", Horner added: "Now, when you look at our competitors, that in some cases have obviously had 70 years of investment on the engine side, to think that you can have a facility fully operational and equipped within the next nine months or eight months is unrealistic.

"So that's something that needs to be looked at but as far as our own preparation, we are on target."