Horner confirms Red Bull engine decision deadline

Red Bull boss Christian Horner says a final decision on its future engine supplier will be made at the end of June at the Austrian Grand Prix as it weighs up its options between Renault and Honda.

In what could prove to be a vital decision which may impact its future driver line-up, Horner says Red Bull will use the next two races in Canada and France to assess the latest updates from both engine manufacturers to finalise its choice of power unit partner for next year.

Red Bull has held extensive talks with Honda chiefs and is thought to be receiving engine data from sister squad Toro Rosso who made the switch to the Japanese manufacturer at the start of this season. Similarly, Red Bull will gather vital information from its current Renault engines – one of which powered Max Verstappen to the top of the times during Friday practice in Montreal.

Both engine suppliers have delivered major upgrades for the Canadian Grand Prix and Horner wants to assess information from this weekend and the French GP before making a call on the team’s future.

“We are at a crucial part of the season where the data we take out of this weekend is going to be fundamental to our decision-making for the future,” Horner told Sky Sports F1. “In an ideal world we would want to see two samples of that, here and in France, but certainly by the Austrian race we would have made a decision.

“We want the best engine that gives us the most competitive chances going forward. Whether that is a Renault or a Honda that is the decision we’ve got to make in the next week or so.”

Renault’s chief Cyril Abiteboul says the end of June decision deadline was a compromise between the three parties involved and is hopeful of keeping Red Bull as an engine customer as he sees it as mutually beneficially to both Horner’s team and the works Renault squad.

“We were keen to get something by the end of May, initially they said end of September, but we managed to compromise by saying the end of June,” Abiteboul said to Sky Sports F1. “They are looking into the technical and commercial sides because it is different to remain as a customer and partner of Renault versus becoming a works team with Honda.

“I think they have a chance to become world champions with us again. I can’t say for Honda, but for what they have now and what is coming in the pipeline, and their car – which is clearly a great car maybe the greatest out there – they have a chance to become world champions again in the next two years.

“For the construction of the Renault team I still think it’s interesting that they are a benchmark as we know where we need to work and see what they’re doing.”

Red Bull driver Daniel Ricciardo is also thought to be awaiting the team’s engine decision as it could play a pivotal role in his Formula 1 future, with the Australian driver seeking a package to enable him to fight for world titles. Ricciardo’s current contract with Red Bull expires at the end of this year and he has been linked to moves to both Mercedes and Ferrari.