Red Bull could turn to Formula E

This Saturday, a meeting organized by the FIA and F1 was held in Austria to discuss the next engine regulations and to try to charm new manufacturers. At the end of this consultation, it was found that the next power units will continue to use hybrid technology, but they will use a greener fuel and will be more electric.

According to Christian Horner, Formula 1 will need to meet the expectations set by both manufacturers and fans. The Red Bull Team Principal argues that the current hybrid V6 engines are too expensive to produce and claims that they are criticized by spectators for lacking noise. The Briton believes that the noise factor should be taken into account by F1 leaders in order to rediscover the emotions of the old engines.

Horner said that if these expectations are not met, many teams could then turn to Formula E and desert F1: « The costs of the current engine are really excessive, we didn’t think about it when this engine was designed. I think there is a fantastic opportunity to do something a little different for what could arguably be a ten-year lifespan engine. I think it should stir emotions, be loud, and of course, tick the boxes of sustainability. But I also think it should be entertaining, otherwise we will all go to Formula E. I hope we can create something attractive for 2025 or 2026, which would be more reasonable. »

The British claimed that the fact that the meeting was attended by many people is excellent news because writing future rules can rely on different opinions.

« I think the dialogue was constructive. For the future of F1, it is important that we find the right solution, both in terms of costs and the product. So I think that all the right people are involved in the conversation, and that it is important to work collectively for the good of F1, he added.

In order to limit production costs, several solutions exist such as removing the MGU-H system (electric motor that restarts the turbo at low speeds), increasing the engine speed and fuel flow.

But this phantom threat from Formula E is not very credible coming from a leader who has just decided to manufacture its own engines by creating a specific division within the team. We find here the usual tactics used in F1 negotiations, with the threat of moving to other categories. Ferrari has used and abused this stratagem, without daring to take the plunge. Undoubtedly, the same will be true for Red Bull, who is now becoming a constructor and engine supplier. Especially since it is still unlikely that Formula E fans will turn to this discipline for the noise emitted by the cars…