Red Bull Racing, which won four straight constructors' and drivers' championships from 2010 to 2013, is one of the most successful teams in Formula 1 history. Having dominated the 2022 season with Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez at the wheel, the team is also the current champion. How will Red Bull's performance be impacted by the engine they utilize in 2023?
Red Bull’s engine history
In 2005, Red Bull Racing joined Formula 1 and took over the Jaguar team. Since then, the team has utilized engines made by Cosworth, Ferrari, Renault, and Honda, among other manufacturers. The team's most fruitful alliance was with Renault, who helped them win eight championships in four years. However, the partnership was strained as the hybrid era began in 2014 and Mercedes became the dominating power in Formula 1.
After a brief experience with Ferrari engines in 2016, Red Bull moved to Honda engines in 2019. The team was pleased by Honda's dedication and development, and after McLaren and Toro Rosso (now AlphaTauri) cut ties with them, they quickly became the Japanese manufacturer's primary partner. In 2019 and 2020, Honda assisted Red Bull in winning seven races. Then, in 2022, Honda put on an incredible performance, winning 17 of 22 races and both titles.
Red Bull’s engine future
Honda announced their departure from Formula 1 at the end of 2022 in October 2020, citing a shift in emphasis toward carbon neutrality and electrification. As a result, Red Bull was forced to look for a new engine supplier for the years 2023 and beyond. The group looked at a number of options, such as acquiring Honda's engine division, collaborating with a different producer, or creating their own engine.
Red Bull said in February 2021 that starting in 2023, they will replace Honda's engine technology with their own. Red Bull Powertrains, a brand-new subsidiary the team established at their Milton Keynes facility to be in charge of developing and producing the engines, was also unveiled by the team. Honda and Red Bull reached a deal allowing Red Bull to utilize Honda's technical assistance and intellectual property through the end of 2024, when new engine restrictions are anticipated to take effect.
Red Bull also disclosed that they will keep using Honda engines until 2023, although they would go under the moniker Honda RBPT. This rebranding was implemented to emphasize Honda's heritage and impact on the power units and to eliminate any potential misunderstanding with other Honda goods or services. Honda's contributions and successes in Formula 1 were to be honored, according to Red Bull, who also expressed a desire to have a close working relationship with them in the future.
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Red Bull’s engine prospects
Many observers viewed Red Bull's plans to operate their own power plants beginning in 2023 as a brave and ambitious move. The team had to contend with a number of obstacles, including the need to hire new workers, construct new facilities, create new technologies, and compete against well-known brands like Mercedes and Ferrari. Red Bull, however, also had a number of advantages, including having access to Honda's resources and knowledge, total control over the development and integration of their engines, and a demonstrated history of success and innovation.
Red Bull will be using an improved version of the Honda engine that dominated the 2022 season, thus their engine chances for 2023 appear excellent. To maintain its competitiveness, Honda will make minor technological modifications to the engine. Along with working closely with their sister team AlphaTauri, Red Bull will gain from having consistency and continuity in their engine supply.
Red Bull has announced a significant new relationship with Ford beginning in 2026, which bodes well for the company's engine prospects in the future. The American auto giant will make its first appearance in Formula 1 since 2004 and will collaborate with Red Bull Powertrains to create a new powertrain for the upcoming hybrid regulations. Ford will help the squad stay ahead of the competition by providing battery and hybrid technologies, among other things. The alliance will also increase Red Bull's popularity and profile on a worldwide scale.
Red Bull Racing's engine plans for 2023 and beyond are a reflection of their status as one of the most forward-thinking and ambitious Formula 1 team in history. In 2023, the team will employ Honda RBPT engines, which are anticipated to be robust and dependable, and in 2026, they will work with Ford, whose engines are anticipated to be state-of-the-art and competitive. Red Bull's engine has a promising future, and the team will work to keep winning in the years to come.
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