It has just been announced that Red Bull and its sister team Alpha Tauri will continue to use the Honda PU (Power Unit) in its current form until the next engine regulations in 2025. This confirmation was expected following the imposing of an engine development freeze after 2022.
Written By Ian Bruce, Edited By Issa Chaker
Red Bull and Alpha Tauri had been searching for a new engine supplier since Honda announced it was to leave the sport once again after the 2021 season. Red Bull confirmed last week that it was to form a new company ‘Red Bull Powertrains’, which was to continue working with what used to be Honda’s units. This company will be based at Milton Keynes, where Red Bull’s F1 operation is based.
Helmut Marko, Red Bull’s motorsports advisor had this to say – “We have been discussing this topic with Honda for some time and following the FIA’s decision to freeze power unit development from 2022, we could at last reach an agreement regarding the continued use of Honda’s hybrid power units”. He continued, “We are grateful for Honda’s collaboration in this regard and for helping to ensure that both Red Bull Racing and Scuderia Alpha Tauri continue to have competitive power units”.
These recents events will have pleased everyone at Red Bull, as without the freeze coming into force, they would have been forced to return to Renault’s power units.
Team principal, Christian Horner said that establishing their own power train operation is a “significant step for Red Bull in its Formula 1 journey”. He also stated, “We were understandably disappointed when Honda made the decision to leave the sport as an engine manufacturer, as our relationship yielded immediate success, but we are grateful for their support in facilitating this new agreement. Honda has invested significantly in hybrid technology to ensure the supply of competitive units to both teams”.
Red Bull will now begin work in bringing the power unit division in house, with new staff being brought in and new facilities being built.
This is a brave move by Red Bull, but it is a calculated risk. The Honda PU is one of the best on the grid and Red Bull have both the knowledge and the money to keep it that way. It is amazing to see their continued commitment to F1 and how they have grown from such humble origins to one of the dominant forces in current F1.
Comments