Red Bull hopes to take over the engine project Honda starting later this year, following the Japanese manufacturer’s decision to withdraw from F1.
However, Red Bull is clear that it can only continue with Honda power units if a development freeze is imposed.
This is because the Milton Keynes-based team cannot afford to match the development budgets that manufacturers like Mercedes, Ferrari Y Renault they can invest in improving their engines.
However, this request for a freeze has not had full approval, as Renault is not interested as it plans to introduce a new power unit in early 2022.
The French manufacturer made the decision on the timing of that update after Red Bull rejected Renault’s earlier request for a freeze.
The issue of the engine freeze will be discussed at an F1 Commission meeting on February 11, and the outcome of the vote on the matter may be key to Red Bull’s long-term future in the sport.
Domenicali, who replaced Chase Carey as CEO of F1 earlier this year, is looking forward to the freeze passed.
He believes doing so would be good for all teams, because it would ensure a cost reduction that will be significant as F1 prepares for the new power unit rules likely to take effect in 2025.
“For sure the anticipation (early introduction) of engine freeze is a very important point,” Domenicali said.
“But I don’t mean just for Red Bull. It’s for all of F1 because, as you know today, the current regulations and the freeze are based on 2023.”
“We want to anticipate the freeze because we want to save money so that manufacturers and teams can invest in the new engine. And on the one hand, that is a priority for many of the manufacturers.”
F1’s power unit makers have already struggled to try to frame a regulation that fits around an engine freeze from 2022, and Domenicali is optimistic that the move could garner the necessary support from the teams.
“The discussions that are underway are going in the right direction,” he said.
“I don’t want to anticipate anything, but I trust that everyone will understand the importance of these things happening.”
“It is something that will surely be at the center of the discussion at that meeting. And I hope that everyone realizes that it is the best option, not only for Red Bull, but for the whole world of F1.”
