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After Honda announced on Friday that it will be leaving the sport in late 2021, the Red Bull and AlphaTauri is forced to search for a new motor carrier.
Renault has been supplying Red Bullt engines for 12 seasons, from 2007 to 2018. The collaboration resulted in 4 individual and 4 constructors’ world championship titles.
However, their relationship, especially in recent years, has been far from smooth. Due to a lack of results and personal discrepancy between Red Bullt leader Christian Horner and Renault manager Cyril Abiteboul, the relationship ended unpleasant.
Article 9 of the FIA Sporting Code states that if a team runs out of engine, it must be supplied by the engine manufacturer supplying the least amount of equipment.
Starting next year, Mercedes will have 4 partners, Ferrari three and Renault only has its own team, Alpine.
Abiteboul said that there have been no requests from Red Bull since yesterday’s announcement, but that they are ready to fulfill the obligations set out by the FIA.
“I can confirm that we have not yet spoken in any way,” French told Motorsport.com.
“As a participant in sport, we are aware of this rule. It is our intention to comply with the rules and demands that are imposed on us ”.
Christian Horner, Red Bull Racing Team Principal, and Cyril Abiteboul, Renault F1 Team General Manager, at the press conference
Photo by Andrew Hone / Motorsport Images
“The process, of course, is not that simple. First, they need to articulate their intentions, which has not happened yet. In addition, there are details to be agreed, such as deadlines. We are still a long way from talking about this, it won’t happen before spring 2021 ”.
“We know that a lot can happen in F1 and time is limited. Spring 2021 is still a long way off, a lot can happen until then. As I said, we will fulfill the obligations that this situation has created.
When asked if it would be uncomfortable to work with Red Bull after past events, Abiteboul replied: “Of course it would, but we have to keep the interests of the sport in mind. I think we are still a long way from crossing that particular bridge. “
“I cannot imagine that Red Bull has no emergency solutions for this case. They must have known for some time that this was going to happen, Helmut [Marko] and christian [Horner] and it’s full of ideas and solutions. I don’t think we are your number one choice! “
Abiteboul said it was not entirely unexpected by Honda’s decision.
“We know that this change can happen at any time. He knew that his role after 2021 had yet to be confirmed. The delay in the announcement was already a sign. Given where we are going with our 2022 engine, the slippage in the ad already had a strong meaning, “concluded Abiteboul.
Why did Honda leave?
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