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This sudden move would not only put the Formula One championship in the face of the reality of the existence of three engine suppliers, something that had not happened before in the current era of hybrid engines, which began in 2014, but would leave Red Bull with very serious fateful questions about his future in the Queen category.
Honda had previously informed Red Bull last August of its intention to exit the tournament, but no decision had been made until the end of September, meaning a very short period of time before the brand’s official exit is announced. Japanese on Friday.
And Red Bull and Alpha Tauri, the reserve team, need a movement provider before the end of next season, with very limited options given there are only three manufacturers.
With no power unit manufacturer announcing its entry into the championship, Red Bull will lose its position as a team of Honda manufacturers (the two Austrian brands are the only ones equipped with Japanese engines). This relationship has been highly successful since it began in 2018 with Toro Rosso, before the Red Bull core team also used Honda engines a year later. Red Bull felt it was not receiving adequate support from Renault, which had previously supplied engines, while Honda and McLaren’s relationship, which spanned three seasons, was disastrous in every sense of the word.
The conditions that brought them together resulted in an impressive performance in the ring. Max Verstappen scored three victories in 2019 and was the only driver able to get close to the Mercedes drivers in 2020, snatching a precious 70th anniversary award win. Aside from a few issues, the performance of Honda’s power units allowed Red Bull to score points on a regular basis, as was the case when powered by Renault engines.
Honda’s excellent support for Red Bull also meant that the Austrian team was able to set a logical goal to compete for the World Championship title.
Red Bull has already demonstrated its ability to win with various manufacturers, as it is the only team to have achieved victories in the last decade with more than one engine supplier, and it must be preparing for all obstacles with the departure of Honda.
But now Red Bull is back to zero in the short term. Honda highlighted in its recent announcement that its decision is not based on its performance in Formula One, but rather as a result of its shift in focus to green engines. But he will continue to provide new power units for the 2021 season, confirming that he will continue his commitment to Red Bull and Alpha Tore until the end of his contract with them.
After that, the picture is far from clear for Red Bull. You will never again have the manufacturing advantage you currently enjoy, which was a major factor in your quest to compete with Mercedes and Ferrari. Rather, he will once again be a “customer” or “partner” of the team, and the difficulty in that was really evident during his time with Renault.
Christian Horner, Team Manager, Red Bull Racing and Dr. Helmut Marco, Team Leader, Red Bull Racing
Photography: Motorsport Pictures
When Red Bull signed the new Concorde in mid-August, they certainly knew Honda’s intent. “Red Bull remains committed to staying in the sport for the long term, and we look forward to a new era of creativity, development and success,” said team principal Christian Horner in light of the announcement.
He added: “As a group, we will take the time we currently have to continue evaluating and finding the best competitive power unit for us for the 2022 season and beyond.”
But all that is still unclear. Mercedes supplies three teams to add to its manufacturing team in 2021, while Ferrari strengthens its ties with Alfa Romeo and Haas. Ironically, the only uncompromised manufacturer for next season is Renault.
Renault will only supply engines to its manufacturing team for the 2021 season in which it will change its name to Alpine, but recently stated that it is open to working with “partners” and not just “customers” or “customers”. Despite this, Cyril Abitbol, Renault’s Formula One team manager, said the French brand needed a partnership that would provide it with real value on the ground.
“It has to be more than just a client team. Client teams do not add any value. While a team of ‘partners’ can bring something of value, value that can help us achieve our competitive and business goals,” he said on the sidelines of the announcement of the name change to Alpine in Monza.
He continued: “We know that such an association is subject to the laws. Therefore, we look forward to that opportunity in the technical and sports fields.”
When asked directly about the possibility of reviving the Red Bull partnership, the Frenchman responded, hinting that Red Bull’s approach was “lacking” in its need for an engine supplier, but was quick to deny such a possibility.
He said, “I don’t want you media people to think that we are in negotiations with Red Bull again.”
He continued: “Red Bull is a factory Honda team. I think the first thing Honda has to decide is the extent of its commitment and its willingness to implement its strategy in the championship.”
He continued: “We partnered with Red Bull, but it was not a fruitful relationship. I think I was asked earlier why Red Bull had the problems it faces now, and one of the reasons they rejected it earlier is because of the possibility of greater This is what we have between ‘Ferry’ and ‘Enston’.
“If there was an opportunity for a strong partnership, we would seize it. But I have doubts about a similar relationship with Red Bull.”
But the nature of mathematical laws means that, in special cases, Renault may have no say in the matter.
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing and Esteban Ocon, Renault and Daniel Ricciardo, Renault
Photography: Motorsport Pictures
After the faltering partnership between Red Bull and Renault in 2016 and the team’s struggle to find an engine supplier, laws were changed to ensure that no team was left without an engine supplier.
Sports regulations state that the FIA has the power to compel a manufacturer to supply power units on demand.
As stated in additional paragraph 9 of the sports regulations covering the issue of the supply of energy units between the 2021 and 2025 seasons: “The FIA will initially determine the quotas of energy units among the suppliers that provide the least number of teams, in order to supply the equipment that does not have a supplier, so that it is supplied by the manufacturer that provides motors for the least number of equipment “.
Red Bull must submit a request to “FIA” for a power unit, before August 1, 2021. Under the current engine agreement, Renault is obliged to comply with this.
Enabling this option is the last possible exit for Red Bull in the event that it reaches a dead end. The team seems eager to explore all its options, including negotiations with Ferrari and Mercedes, before deciding anything.
On the other hand, there is a bigger question looming on the horizon related to the long-term future of Verstappen, the talent of Red Bull that is not repeated just once per generation, the talent that can bestow a world title on the Austrian brand.
Verstappen is 23 years old and it appears he will not be successful in his current endeavor this season, due to the limited capabilities of his 2020 Red Bull car and not due to a lack of talent, which all observers unanimously agree. But Red Bull needs to work hard and long to secure its future in the tournament beyond 2021 in order to ensure the Dutchman’s survival and make him a world champion.
There will be ongoing reporting of the approach Red Bull will take, especially with the implementation of the budget cap law starting next season and then the fundamentally different package of laws starting in the 2022 season, which may represent the Austrian brand’s opportunity. to beat Mercedes. And the dilemma of finding an engine supplier is just another hurdle for Red Bull.
Regardless of his next move, Honda’s announcement to retire is a truly painful blow for Red Bull. The relationship with Honda seemed perfect, but the fruits came too late and they failed to destabilize Mercedes’ absolute control over the championship.
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
Photography: Motorsport Pictures
