“I don’t think we should bend ourselves out of shape”– Christian Horner has warned F1 to not go out of the way to accommodate Volkswagen.
The discussions of 2025 engine regulations are still underway, with the Volkswagen Group reportedly involved in the talks. The German group is believed to be a part of the F1 manufacturing lineup once the new regulations come in.
However, many, including Christian Horner, believe that it’s a waste of time if, in the end, Volkswagen decides to withdraw its interests. The Red Bull team principal is also in the above-mentioned discussions.
“There is always that risk,” replied Horner. “So, therefore, I don’t think we should bend ourselves out of shape to accommodate a specific manufacturer.
“What we have to do is come up with something right for Formula 1, that’s right for the long-term future of the sport. We have seen manufacturers come and go over generations.
“The most consistent factor has obviously been Ferrari that has been there from the start. The fundamental question is, where do you want Formula 1 to be, where does it fall.
“If you follow the theory of where OEMs are going, electrification, then we could end up in Formula E in eight or night years’ time. Now that isn’t Formula 1. Formula 1 for me is about noise, it’s about entertainment, it’s about the fastest cars in the world.”
Loud noise with environment preservation is possible
F1 is aiming to apply more carbon-neutral synthetic fuel to reach its objective of carbon zero by 2030. Horner believes that this can still be possible with loud engines.
“The fact we are going this bio-fuel route with the sustainable fuels, the combustion engine does have a future,” said Horner. “There is no reason to think why [we should] not introduce high-revving engines that sound fantastic and are doing it in an environmentally friendly manner, and the biofuels and sustainable fuels enable you to do that.
“So the owners of Formula 1 and the governing body need to decide where do they want to place it. On the one hand, you’ve got full electrification; then you can look at a middle ground that is effectively some form of hybrid that potentially may not have relevance longer term.
“Or you say Formula 1; actually, we’re here to entertain, the combustion engine does have a future as part of Formula 1, but we are going to do it in a sustainable and environmentally friendly manner.
“If people want to be part of that then great and if they don’t then so be it.”
