“The V6 Turbo hybrid engine brought nothing to F1” according to Horner

Christian Horner knows how to defend his interests. At the head of a stable (Red Bull) who amassed four Drivers' and Manufacturers' titles consecutively during the naturally aspirated V8 era (2010-2013), the Red Bull boss has never been an admirer of the V6 Turbo hybrid engine, and for good reason; his team has never returned to the heights of yesteryear with these regulations.

At a time when the Formula 1 refines the architecture of its engine block for 2021, the former driver of F3000 steps up to the plate for a complete U-turn. “I would love to see the new engine come a year earlier (in 2020). In my opinion, the V6 Turbo hybrid engine has brought nothing to the sport, except something negative. He did not contribute positively to the sport: the sound was suppressed, and the passion with it. The engine is far too complex, too far from production vehicles. It looks in a way like a diesel unit. (in promoting technology that ultimately disappoints users) ; nothing is positive. The sooner it is put away, the better.”, asserts Christian Horner.

But it is not enough to criticize to change the rules. “Unfortunately, there is a contract between the different manufacturers and the FIA ​​which guarantees the use of the current engine until the end of 2020. I don't think the brands will want to get rid of it before this limit. » Christian Horner does not hesitate to name a few names. “Leading teams, such as Mercedes ou Ferrari, would not agree to bring forward the introduction of the new engine… Developing a new engine takes time. But we will nevertheless have this meeting in Paris next Monday and on November 7, where we will discuss this subject together with a vote at the end of the meeting. »

The only certainty: the production costs for an engine with similar power to 2017 should drop significantly, according to the wishes of all the stables.