Red Bull breaks ground on ambitious F1 powertrain division
Red Bull is targeting the "best talent" available in Formula 1 to join its ambitious engine project, as work began this week on its new state-of-the-art factory in Milton Keynes.
The team has broken ground on construction of a new facility that will become the centrepiece of its Red Bull Powertrains division.
As the team prepares to take over the Honda engine project from next year, team boss and powertrain CEO Christian Horner has outlined its plans to ensure its reputation for engine development is in line with its chassis division.
Key to Red Bull’s chassis progress was the luring of tech chief Adrian Newey from McLaren in 2006, and Horner says landing top talent on the engine front is a vital part of his plan too.
“We will be applying exactly the same philosophy that we did to the chassis side,” Horner told Autosport in an exclusive interview.
“So the intention, exactly as I did with the chassis, is to make sure we attract the right talent and the best talent.”
Red Bull is constructing a new bespoke engine factory as part of its Milton Keynes operation. Work began a few days ago on transforming the current land and existing facility to build a new fit-for-purpose structure.
Horner felt it important Red Bull had its engine facility as close to its chassis operation as possible, which will put it alongside Ferrari as the only outfit with such a geographical closeness between its car/power unit operations.
“At the end of the day, F1 is still a team sport," he added.
Adrian Newey, Christian Horner Bahrain 2021
Photo by: Mark Thompson/Getty Images
“It's a people sport. And that's one of the fundamental reasons that we’re housing our facility on site within the campus in Milton Keynes.
“It’s to make sure that there is this seamless integration between power unit and chassis.”
While Red Bull will keep some of Honda's current staff to assist its takeover of the project, Horner said its longer-term focus is on producing a new power unit for the 2025 regulations.
Calling the transition “tremendously exciting”, Horner said: “Obviously with the engine freeze it was important as a safeguard for what will effectively be an interim period.
“But for the new engine, whenever that comes, potentially 2025, we're obviously building up a structure.
“We're going to inherit some great people and talent from Honda, but we are absolutely committed to getting the right people in the right roles in an efficient manner that integrates fully with the chassis side of the business.”
Related video
Alpine: Imola F1 car updates may be stronger at other circuits
Mazepin surprised by F1’s level of intensity
The two key contributors to Leclerc's defeat to Perez in F1's 2022 Singapore GP
In a marathon Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix, Sergio Perez’s victory was only assured hours after the race due to a stewards investigation. Throughout the contest the Red Bull driver impressively held off Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc in changing conditions to see the Mexican pull out enough of an advantage to negate his post-race penalty
Aston Martin “surprised” to be linked with F1 cost cap breach
Aston Martin is surprised it has been linked to a potential Formula 1 cost cap breach in 2021, as it has not been told the outcome of its discussions with the FIA yet.
Red Bull "absolutely confident" ahead of crunch F1 cost cap decision
Red Bull says it remains "absolutely confident" that it was below Formula 1’s cost cap limit last year, ahead of Wednesday’s crunch announcement from the FIA.
Hamilton won’t “punish himself” for F1 Singapore GP mistake
Lewis Hamilton says that he won’t punish himself for the mistake that ruined his Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix.
The two key contributors to Leclerc's defeat to Perez in F1's 2022 Singapore GP
In a marathon Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix, Sergio Perez’s victory was only assured hours after the race due to a stewards investigation. Throughout the contest the Red Bull driver impressively held off Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc in changing conditions to see the Mexican pull out enough of an advantage to negate his post-race penalty
The time-honoured manufacturer model that can't apply to all F1 teams
What happens, asks MATT KEW, if the old adage of win on a Sunday, sell on a Monday is no longer true for F1 manufacturers?
Why is Oscar Piastri F1's most sought-after rookie?
The Australian rising star is fast, consistent, confident, adaptable and has shown excellent racecraft, but there’s already a taint to his reputation. That hasn’t stopped him becoming the hottest property in this year’s F1 driver market and why McLaren moved fast to snap up the 21-year-old
The unintended benefit that F1's new engine rules era will deliver
Formula 1's incoming engine rules shake-up has multiple targets. But it may also solve what has been a bone of contention since the hybrids arrived in 2014. The new plan will allow the series to pump up the volume
How de Vries made himself impossible to ignore for a belated F1 chance
Nyck de Vries appeared to have missed his opportunity to break into Formula 1 as he was passed over for more exciting talents who have now become frontrunners and title fighters. But after catching the eye outside of the F1 sphere, before his stunning impromptu grand prix debut in Italy, will it lead to a delayed full-time race seat?
Can Hamilton produce another Singapore magic moment?
The Singapore Grand Prix has, explains BEN EDWARDS, played an important role in Lewis Hamilton’s Formula 1 career. As the series returns to the Marina Bay Street Circuit for the first time in three years, he faces the latest challenge with an underperforming Mercedes car
Why Sainz is key to Ferrari achieving its chairman's F1 goals
Although Ferrari's chances of title glory in 2022 have evaporated, chairman John Elkann expects the team to have chalked up both championships by 2026. Both require drivers to play the team game and, having now become more comfortable with the F1-75, Carlos Sainz may be Ferrari's key to title glory
How F1 has tried to avoid repeating its 2014 engine rules mistakes
With Formula 1’s future engine regulations now agreed, MARK GALLAGHER wonders if they will provide a more competitive field than past attempts actually managed