Red Bull in no rush to decide on 2019 F1 engine deal

Red Bull is in no rush to finalise its Formula 1 engine plans beyond the end of next season, according to team boss Christian Horner, who expects a decision to be taken through the middle of 2018.

Red Bull has one year remaining on its existing F1 engine agreement with Renault, but speculation emerged over the Singapore Grand Prix weekend that the French manufacturer would be looking to cut ties at the end of 2018 after striking a new customer deal with McLaren, starting next season.

With B-team Toro Rosso linking up with Honda on a three-year deal from the start of next season, Red Bull's senior squad has been linked with a future supply from the Japanese marque, but Horner remained coy when discussing future engine options in an interview with the official F1 website.

"Everything is open for 2019. Nothing is fixed," Horner said.

"We will make a decision around spring to early summer next year.

"Yes, it is great that Honda remains in the sport and for sure, it is a great deal for Toro Rosso being a works team.

"And, of course, from a Red Bull Group perspective, it gives the opportunity to follow the progress of Honda before having to make a decision in springtime next year what our engine is for the future."

McLaren's arrival as a rival Renault customer has led to questions over which team the French manufacturer will enjoy closer ties to, but Horner stressed he is only interested in parity.

"McLaren will go through a natural honeymoon with Renault. Fernando Alonso was their driver and so on, but we need to focus on our own business," Horner said.

"As long as we get a fair service from Renault, that’s all we ask. And, of course, they want to bring up their own team, so we rely on their integrity as in all the previous seasons.

"In good and bad times, they have always provided parity of equipment."