Red Bull has taken control of its own destiny – Horner

Red Bull Racing team boss Christian Horner says the energy drink’s decision to take over Honda’s engine program means that it is now “in control of its own destiny” in F1.

Honda will exit F1 at the end of this season as works supplier to Red Bull, but the Japanese manufacturer has accepted to transfer its technology to Red Bull in the wake of F1’s decision to freeze engine development from 2022 to the end of 2024.

Red Bull will therefore manage and service its power units which will be branded ‘Red Bull’ post-2021 from a dedicated unit located on its Milton Keynes base.

But the move also allows Red Bull to acquire a level of independence in terms of engine management, engineering and design that it and sister team AlphaTauri have never enjoyed in the past.

“We have taken control of our own destiny, in respect of integrating power unit with chassis,” Horner said in a video call with the media on Monday.

“We’ve got the short-term scenario of the existing regulations and then of course whatever the new regulations are, we need to be in a position to take that on as well.

“We won’t be beholden on having a partner so we’ve got the independence to do it ourselves,” he said of the longer-term. “If an exciting partner comes along, then of course it makes sense to look at it very seriously.”

Read also: Red Bull confirms formation of new RB Powertrains company

Horner says its decision, backed by significant investment, will finally put the team on “an even keel with the likes of Mercedes, the likes of Ferrari and Renault.”

“You’d have never thought we could have done what we’ve managed to achieve over the years with the chassis,” added the Briton, referring to Red Bull’s string of four F1 Constructors’ titles.

“The challenge now is to try and replicate that within the power unit.”

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