F1 has decided on its next regulations (from 2026), technical, financial and sporting, relating to the power unit.
In this new era, although the changes won’t be as drastic as they were in 2014, Red Bull will make its own engine with the facilities of Red Bull Powertrains, possibly in a joint venture with Porsche. Audi will arrive from 2026 as well, likely with Sauber.
However, two companies should be avoided with this new regulation. Two companies were seen in 2014. On the one hand, the performance in the group contrasted: in 2014, Mercedes crushed the competition, and the thrill with it. On the other hand, it will be necessary to make life somewhat easier for newcomers to the Volkswagen Group, in order to avoid a new Honda catastrophe.
For this purpose, the regulations provided for inversion: new manufacturers would receive $5 million in 2025 and double in 2023 and 2024, to enable them to upgrade.
Christian Horner appreciates these efforts, as Red Bull will have a new engine plant in 2026, whether it’s called Red Bull Powertrains or Porsche. But is this enough? Isn’t the challenge of building a new power unit too great for Milton Keynes to face?
“The engine is changing, but there are a large number of items that we can move from one slate to another.”
“But for a newcomer, when you’re starting from scratch, it’s a huge challenge.”
“Even if the FIA tried to have a more power steering [dans sa conception]There is always performance to strive for. Formula 1 engineers are constantly showing how creative they are in finding performance. »
“The main weaknesses for the newcomer are twofold. The first is that we have to catch up, and we have to try to catch up with almost 10 years of regulations, knowledge and knowledge that we don’t have.”
And within existing budget constraints, $10 million [de bonus] As for the newcomer, he is quite frugal, especially for the engine, to be able to catch up with the know-how. And in particular with the conversion, from one slate to another, of internal combustion engine technology. »
Given the scale of the project, isn’t Red Bull Powertrains already behind schedule for 2026? Horner takes stock.
“Another challenge for a newcomer to these financial regulations is to build their facilities, because you have to start from scratch. In 55 weeks, we set up a factory and produced the first combustion engine, which is a huge achievement.”
“But there is still a long way to go in terms of manufacturing capacity etc. There are deadlines for that, some a bit unrealistic. As a newcomer, this is a huge burden.”
« Nous voulons simplement qu’il y ait un plateau avec un niveau de performance équitable – en ce sens que nous ne voulons pas surpasser ce que les motoristes actuels ont, mais nous voulons être en mesure d’arriver à un point où noir pous The same. »
Christian Horner is interested in one point: What would happen if the engine manufacturer (Red Bull Powertrains randomly) missed their target completely in 2026, like Honda in 2015? Will there be compensation given to him to compensate him?
“Essentially, the safety net that was in the regulations is something that has to be revised over time. If the manufacturer misses the mark… what is that compensation, this compensation that is meant to correct this – so that we don’t have a huge disparity in performance, as Our opinion when introducing the 2014 V6 Era? Work in progress.”
So why did Red Bull produce a classic combustion engine at its factory? To practice or because this engine will really come in handy for 2026?
“The engine that we created is based on the knowledge that was discussed in the technical forums of the power unit. »
“Fortunately it’s not quite far from the regulations and it was important for us to have this first engine built and produced by Red Bull. It was a historic moment for the company to see this engine come to life before the summer break.”
“But now clarity on regulations, turbo capacity, compression ratios, piston specifications, etc., all allow development to continue in the time frame up to 2026, which, in the context of cost control, is a major challenge.”
#Horner #safety #Red #Bull #Powertrains #Porsche #fail
