Red Bull has once again warned their future in Formula 1 could be at stake if teams don’t agree to an engine freeze from 2022.
The Milton Keynes-based squad has confirmed a deal with Honda is in place to take over their engine project from next season, this after the Japanese manufacturer announced their exit from F1 after 2021 last October.
However, implementation of that deal is dependent on the other manufacturers agreeing to freeze power unit development to limit costs.
“Everything has been clarified between us,” Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko told Germany’s Auto Motor und Sport earlier this month.
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“The timing is fixed. Everyone is in the starting blocks, but there won’t be an OK until we have written proof from the FIA that the development freeze on the engine side is coming.
“We are waiting for the FIA’s decision. There should be clarification on that next week.”
However, that didn’t happen because… “the agreement that existed on Friday was no longer there on Monday,” the Red Bull advisor told Motorsport-Magazin.com this week.
“There are further talks and negotiations.”
Marko then reiterated the financial reasoning for demanding the freeze, arguing it is something all manufacturers in F1 should want.
“We have a cost cap, we are discussing a restriction and reduction in driver salaries, only with the engines everything is to remain further open,” he said.
“What’s more, the trend is clearly for the new engine regulations to be brought forward to 2025. Unfortunately, this engine was such a cost driver. Investing even more in it now makes no sense.
“For F1, it’s a very clear common-sense decision. The engine freeze is the most important thing.
“The so-called safety net of alignment will certainly be more difficult,” he added, noting the efforts to ensure a level of engine performance parity across the manufacturers.
“But if the development freeze is there, the whole project is already easier for us to handle.”
If a freeze was not agreed, however: “That would mean Red Bull would have to drastically rethink its F1 situation, this is not a blackmail,” Marko warned.
“For pure common sense and cost reasons, an engine freeze is the only way forward with these unfortunate power units.”
Of course, the obvious alternative would be to seek a deal with Renault, but asked if there is a Plan B if Red Bull can’t continue with Honda, Marko said: “No, there isn’t.”