Red Bull say their new Formula 1 power unit facility will eventually be able to supply engines for up to four different teams.
The team began work on the new Red Bull Powertrains division last year. It has already run its first prototype of a V6 engine for F1’s new formula which will be introduced in 2026.
Team principal Christian Horner says the huge cost to Red Bull of building their own engine will be increasingly offest by the savings that can be made in their F1 team following the introduction of the budget cap last year.
“Obviously we have the burden of costs of existing power units plus development at the moment,” he acknowledged. “But by the time we get to 2026, the budget cap will have fully kicked in and the costs become far more bearable than they were two or three years ago. So the cost cap again was fundamental to becoming a new entrant.”
The initial plan is for Red Bull to supply engines to its own team plus junior squad AlphaTauri. But there will be the potential to take on more customers, said Horner.
“The way we’re structured we have the capability within the facility of producing engines up to four teams,” he said. “But that certainly won’t be the initial goal. The initial plan is obviously to supply the two Red Bull-owned teams.”
Mercedes currently supply engines to four teams, the factory Mercedes team plus three customers, but indicated earlier this year of having plans to scale back. That will leave McLaren, Williams or Aston Martin looking for a new supplier.
Ferrari already provide engines to their own team plus Alfa Romeo and Haas, while Alpine is the sole user of Renault’s engines.
Red Bull currently use power units developed by Honda, which officially withdrew at the end of last season, but is continuing to provide support until the end of 2025 through Honda Racing Corporation. While Red Bull’s discussions with Porsche over a potential tie-up came to nothing, rumours now suggest Honda is considering a swift return to F1. Although Horner said Red Bull’s plans are set regardless of others’ plans, he is open to a potential reunion with Honda.
Advert | Become a RaceFans supporter and
“Our train has left the station for ’26,” he said. “We have an engine and prototype running. We have all of the dyno’s commissioned, we’re up and running.
“Honda [are] a great company. They announced their withdrawal…
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at RaceFans…