Horner: “Vital for the sustainability of Formula 1” that engine costs are reduced

F1 News

5 March 2020 at 14:47
  • Bevan Youl

Red Bull Racing boss Christian Horner has said that engine costs should be reduced as it is “vital for the sustainability of Formula 1” to keep manufacturers in the sport in the future.

Red Bull are currently supplied engines by Honda but the Japanese manufacturer are only contracted until the end of the 2021 season.
 
F1 is currently taking steps to reduce the cost of competing in F1, introducing a $175 million budget cap for development of cars, except the engine development.
 
But Horner feels it should be something that is implemented for the benefit of the sport in the future.
 
“Whilst we focus very hard on the budget cap for the chassis side, the engine is untouched at the moment,” he told RaceFans.

“And I think it is vital for the sustainability of Formula 1 engine supply that costs are reduced.”

The Briton adds that it is something that will affect teams that manufacture their own engines and participate unlike Honda (Mercedes, Ferrari and Renault) due to the move in the world towards electric powered cars.

“I think all the motor companies are under increasing pressure and therefore cost is a key question, I would think, in all the manufacturers’ minds at the moment, not just isolated to Honda,” he added.

“I think Renault, Mercedes and even Ferrari have got the same challenges.

“That’s a worry for Formula 1, particularly with the way the world market is at the moment in the automotive industry.”