Limited F1 engine market unhealthy, says Red Bull boss Horner
Red Bull team principal Christian Horner fears Formula 1 is rapidly becoming unhealthy as Mercedes and Ferrari dominate the engine market
Red Bull and Toro Rosso are to , despite having contracts covering 2016, in the wake of the French manufacturer's troubles in F1's new 1.6-litre V6 turbo era.
Although Renault is set to return as a constructor next season , it would concentrate solely on its own programme.
Honda, meanwhile, has ruled out a supply until 2017 at the earliest, and then .
It means the majority of the teams are turning to Mercedes or Ferrari for power units, which is of concern to Horner.
"It's important for Formula 1 to have competitive engine manufacturers because what we're rapidly descending upon is two dominant engine suppliers and that ultimately isn't healthy for F1," he said.
"With the V8 you had three or four competitive engines that were capable of winning.
"Now you've only got two engines that are capable of winning races on merit, and that's not particularly healthy."
Volkswagen continues to be linked with a move into F1, with rumours over the Singapore Grand Prix weekend of a potential takeover of Red Bull, which Horner denied.
Although VW's entry would be welcomed, Horner feels that it would be several years away given the complexities of the current engine formula, highlighted by Renault and Honda's difficulties.
"Even if they were to decide to come into F1, you're looking minimum - within the current framework of regulations - of two to three years away at least to be able to produce a competitive engine."
Suggested to Horner a possible VW entry in 2018 would be pointless given the current engine formula ends in '20, he replied: "I don't think anybody knows what 2020 and beyond is at the moment.
"It's too far ahead to be thinking about that."
Share Or Save This Story
Autosport 75: How Verstappen scored his first F1 win
The supercharged Revolution that has piqued an Olympic legend's motorsport taste
How Radical revamped its record-breaking flagship model
Verstappen penalised for crossing pit exit but keeps fifth place at F1 Miami GP
Verstappen, Leclerc and Russell all summoned to stewards after F1 Miami GP
Great debate: Will Verstappen quit F1 and should F1 care?
Heinrich claims Laguna Seca IMSA win with decisive late overtake
Why Lawson wasn't penalised for flipping Gasly in Miami GP
Verstappen penalised for crossing pit exit but keeps fifth place at F1 Miami GP
Leclerc handed huge Miami GP penalty after battle with Verstappen and Russell
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
Top Comments