Red Bull is keeping its options open with respect to the Engine manufacturer that it wants to work with in 2019.
Red Bull’s current deal with Renault is in its final season and thus the Red Bull management wants to look at other options, especially Honda from the 2019 season. The Red Bull authorities are closely monitoring Toro Rosso’s engine suppliers Honda, who apparently have improved their reliability this season after a terrible showing with McLaren last time round.
“All things are open for 2019 onwards.We will play close attention to how things develop at Toro Rosso, but there are no preconceptions as we head into the season.” Horner said.
Renault though are one to be taken for a toss, and want to get on with the deal, whether in their favour or not by the end of May.
Renault want Red Bull to comply to the Appendix 9 of the FIA’s sporting regulations, which clearly suggests that before May 15 an agreement will have to be reached between the engine suppliers and the teams.
“Before 15 May (or such other date as agreed in writing between all the Power Unit Manufacturers and the FIA) of the season preceding that in which such power units are to be supplied, with the list of teams (clearly identifying the appointed “works/factory” team, if any) to which a supply agreement has been concluded for the given Championship season.” the rule states.
Abiteboul, the Renault boss is firm on the fact that he wouldn’t be left in the dark for long and thus has provided Red Bull with a rather ‘logical’ deadline.
“We are not going to hang around forever,” Abiteboul said.
“He’s absolutely right. Like him I read contracts, and I know the obligation that we have towards the sport.
“There is one thing that is clear, and that is planning. And there will be a deadline for Red Bull Racing to define what they want for the future. It’s available, it’s in the Sporting Regulations.
“I believe that by the end of May there needs to be some clarity as to who is supplying which team – which supplier is supplying which customer team. As far as we are concerned, that will be the deadline.” he added.
Renault are not looking for intricate contract details to be completed in May but are in fact just looking for commitment from Red Bull.
“I guess that will be the baseline for any discussion, and then there are still a number of specific services that they want to have, do they want to have their own petroleum company, do they want to have specific dyno test programme? And so on and so forth.
“The fact that we have that framework in the regs will not prevent any more bespoke services, or commercial discussion, between our two companies.” he concluded.
