Red Bull considers engine options

Despite claiming a 1-2 victory in the Chinese Grand Prix, this week's AUTOSPORT magazine exclusively reveals that the team is understood to be well down the line in negotiations with Mercedes, despite not having ruled out continuing with Renault.

"It's way too early to be talking about engines for next year," Horner told AUTOSPORT. "Hopefully Renault will still be around. The engine is performing well and, having been permitted the equalisation adjustments at the end of last year, I think it is comparable with the other engines in F1.

"You've probably still got Mercedes as the strongest engine, but I don't think the Renault gives anything away to its rivals."

Mercedes has ruled out supplying more than three teams with engines, and with a firm commitment to both works team McLaren and Force India, Red Bull would have to replace Brawn GP as the German manufacturer's second customer.

Horner added that there is no rush to finalise its engine supplier, as it is possible to modify a car design for an alternative engine at relatively short notice.

"As Ross Brawn has proved, you can change engines at the last minute - they're such simplistic blocks these days," said Horner.

For an in-depth analysis of why Red Bull Racing is keen on Mercedes engines, read AUTOSPORT magazine (out on Thursday).