Horner Explains Key Reason Why F1 is Not ‘Beholden’ to Ferrari or Mercedes Anymore

With Honda leaving F1 at the end of the 2021 season, Red Bull Racing will take over the power unit development. In their 1.5 decade-long F1 career, the Milton-Keynes outfit have previously taken engines from different suppliers, including Renault, Ferrari, and Cosworth.

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has that being able to produce their own engines will be a boost for the Austrian team. The Powertrains project will also give teams on the grid another option to choose their power unit supplier.

Currently, there are three power unit manufacturers in F1. And since Mercedes and Ferrari are the only ones who have customer teams in F1, they have power in dictating major decisions of their customer teams.

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Red Bull will the only independent manufacturer in Formula 1: Horner

In the recent episode of Beyond the Grid, Horner opened up about his hopes of the Austrian team supplying power units to others on the grid one day. Introducing RB Powertrains would also be beneficial for F1 as they will have another supplier on the grid.

“I don’t see why not because Red Bull will be the only independent manufacturer in Formula1. So, we are not dictated to say that it’s gotta be run on orange juice or V6 or V4 or whatever it is,” said Horner about the possibility of other teams running their Powertrains.

Horner continues,” It’s about Formula 1. It  needs to sound right, needs to generate the necessary horsepower. Yes, it needs to be deal with the environmental issues but there is no pre-requisite set down for anyone to say this is what an engine has to be.

“So, I think it’s been music to Stefano and Ross’ ears that suddenly they are just not beholden just on OEMs and the manufacturers.”

Read More: Which Teams Use Ferrari Engines in F1?

Can the Austrian team win their second home race?

Red Bull are currently leading the constructor’s championship from Mercedes by 40 points. The Austrian team is one winning streak of four consecutive races, having won the first of two home races just last weekend. After his dominant win at the Styrian Grand Prix, Max Verstappen extended his drivers’ standings lead over Lewis Hamilton by 18 points.

Austrian Grand Prix will provide another opportunity for the Dutch driver to further extend his lead. It would also be an achievement for the Milton Keynes team if they win their home race back-to-back for the first time.

Can Red Bull continue their dominance in Austria? Comment below to let us know.