Red Bull has expressed dissatisfaction with Renault’s progress, as the French engines seem significantly less competitive compared to their Italian and German counterparts.
Recent reports suggest that Helmut Marko, a consultant for Red Bull Racing, is keen on transitioning to Honda engines, provided that Honda implements the required enhancements.
Although there has been no official announcement, sources indicate that next year, the sole team utilizing Honda engines will be Red Bull’s Scuderia Toro Rosso.
After the 2017 season, STR and McLaren are reportedly planning to switch engine suppliers, as McLaren seeks to improve its standings in the competition after struggling for three consecutive seasons with Honda’s performance.
A recent article in Auto Motor und Sport highlights Red Bull’s frustrations, noting that despite having a top-tier chassis and two of the best drivers in the sport, they have been hindered by an inadequate engine.
Red Bull is anticipated to sever ties with Renault after the 2018 season, with Honda emerging as the primary alternative. While it may seem unlikely for Red Bull Racing to switch to Honda in 2019, it is not entirely out of the question.
According to Motorsport, STR is set to utilize Honda power units from 2018 through the final year of the current engine regulations in 2020.
Given that Marko is looking at Honda as a replacement for Renault, the STR deal could be viewed as Red Bull’s way of assessing Honda’s capabilities in a low-stakes environment, imperfections included.
Red Bull is also exploring other avenues, including the possibility of selling their team. AMuS reports that Red Bull might consider such a sale if the new engine regulations for 2021 are unfavorable. Potential buyers could include Porsche and individuals associated with a new Formula 1 team from China.
There are indications that Porsche is developing a potential engine for the future of Formula 1, which could provide Red Bull with an alternative if Honda fails to meet their expectations by 2021.
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