Mercedes boss Toto Wolff says his support for an engine freeze is solely to ensure Red Bull remains in Formula 1.
Last month, the energy drinks giant confirmed a deal had been reached to take over Honda’s power unit operation from 2022, this after the Japanese manufacturer announced their exit last October.
However, Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko says that deal can only go ahead if F1 agrees to freeze engine development to reduce costs.
Initially, it appeared a pathway to that had been agreed but now there’s uncertainty again, with Marko insisting Red Bull’s threat to pull out without a freeze is not “blackmail”.
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And Mercedes, who have backed the demand ever since it was put forward, admit they want to ensure Red Bull stay on the grid.
“If the freeze is necessary to keep Red Bull Honda in business, we will support it,” Wolff told Germany’s RTL.
“We all have to try together to keep the manufacturers in Formula 1. The Red Bull Honda project is very ambitious, but I think they can do that.
“That’s why we are basically for a freeze.”
It’s unclear exactly who is opposing the freeze, with all manufacturers open to the idea providing the right terms are agreed, but ex-driver turned pundit, Jan Lammers, isn’t so sure Red Bull would quit regardless.
“That is not in Red Bull’s DNA. They are solvers and tacklers,” he told RacingNews365.
“I think the situation presents an opportunity for other engine manufacturers, so I think there is still a solution somehow available. I see a lot of possibilities.
“If Red Bull just took over the running costs of the engine factory with a certain core of the staff, that would be very valuable for Honda, because they keep in touch with the latest developments, while it would be cost-effective for them.
“For Red Bull that could also be cheaper than leasing an engine and they might be able to provide a second team with engines.”
