Red Bull may have an unexpected option of Ferrari to consider as an engine supplier from 2022, based on comments made on Friday.
A week has passed since their current partner Honda confirmed their exit from Formula 1 at the end of next year, leaving Red Bull and sister team AlphaTauri looking for alternatives.
The possibility of taking over Honda’s engine project and developing their own units is one outcome being discussed, as is the last resort of returning to Renault power.
But when it came to the other two manufacturers on the grid, certainly in the case of main rivals Mercedes, their position was clear.
“[We can’t] for various reasons, but the main thing is we are supplying four teams, including us,” team boss Toto Wolff said at the Nurburgring.
“We are almost in a state that we can’t make power units for all of us so there is no capacity.
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“But I have no doubt [Red Bull advisor] Helmut [Marko] will have a Plan B, as he said, and probably doesn’t need to rely on any of the power unit suppliers.”
The Austrian’s last comment certainly hints that he feels Red Bull may simply take Honda’s engine project in-house.
But if not, Ferrari boss Mattia Binotto certainly didn’t rule out recreating a partnership which, with Toro Rosso, lasted until 2013.
“We are not considering it, [but it is] something we need to start considering now,” he said.
“I think we have not decided as first I think it will be down to Red Bull to eventually look at us and ask for supply, they’re a great team, no doubt.
“I think supplying them is a lot of energy somehow which is required, but something on which we need to consider and have no position yet, on which we need certainly to take our time to think that and have a decision.
“It was sudden news from Honda and I think now we need to consider something that was not being considered a few days ago.”
Speaking on Friday, Red Bull boss Christian Horner said all options need to be considered, but noted any deal must not impact his team’s chances of fighting for wins and championships.
More broadly, the Briton also ruled out Red Bull and AlphaTauri having different suppliers in 2022.
“It’s very much a two-for-one scenario,” said Horner, who admitted to being “hugely disappointed” by Honda’s decision to leave.
“Due to the synergy project, due to the integration of the drivetrain, then it’s inconceivable to think the two teams could operate on different power units.
“That introduces all kinds of complexities, particularly with IP from the different suppliers, so it will be way from ideal to have the teams on different power unit solutions.”
