Skip to content

Red Bull expect to announce 2016 engine deal 'within a week'

Former champions expected to continue under revised terms with Renault; French manufacturer's Lotus takeover back on track

Red Bull's Christian Horner and Helmut Marko speak with Renault Sport chairman Jerome Stoll (left) in Abu Dhabi
Image: Red Bull's Christian Horner and Helmut Marko speak with Renault Sport chairman Jerome Stoll (left) in Abu Dhabi

Christian Horner expects to confirm the detail of Red Bull's 2016 engine supply "within a week".

The team principal confirmed at the Abu Dhabi GP that the former world champions had finally secured an engine deal for next season, but he was not yet able to divulge further information.

Speaking after Sunday's season-ending race, Horner said: "I have a contract for an engine, the details of which I hope to be able to announce within a week."

Red Bull are expected to confirm a revised partnership with long-time suppliers Renault, whereby the team run unbranded or rebadged power units supplied by the French manufacturer. Mario Illien, who has been working for Red Bull in a consultancy capacity, is expected to play a key role in the new arrangement.

Renault's own F1 future has remained up in the air amid their long-running bid to complete a takeover of the Lotus team. The French firm's F1 boss Cyril Abiteboul indicated on Friday that an announcement of their own was "very likely" this coming week, which would tie-in with Red Bull's expected timeframe.

The hold-up in getting the deal over the line has been thought to centre on the failure of Renault and Bernie Ecclestone to agree on a deal for the heritage bonus payments the carmaker expect to receive for their return as a works squad.

Image: Red Bull finished fourth in this year's Constructors' Championship - their first placing outside the top two in seven years

In a bid to thrash out an agreement, Renault Sport chairman Jerome Stoll attended the Abu Dhabi weekend and met with Ecclestone.

Also See:

Asked if the uncertainty over Renault's future could yet cause problems for Red Bull, Horner replied: "We have got a signed contact. There's obviously been an awful lot of activity over the last few weeks. I'm not at liberty to say what that activity is, but I'm sure it will come out in the wash."

Writing in The Sunday Times, Sky F1 analyst Mark Hughes said: 'At the meeting of the F1 commission [last week], Bernie Ecclestone is understood to have withdrawn his agreement to provide Renault with 'historic' bonus payments based upon their world championship titles of 2005 and 2006.

'This was after it was to revealed to him that Renault plan to charge Red Bull 30m euros for an engine supply in 2016 (up from 24m euros this season). With the bonus payment in jeopardy, Renault were on the verge of pulling out of the Lotus purchase. An announcement to that effect was averted and negotiations continue.'

Transitional 2016 for Red Bull
Transitional 2016 for Red Bull

Christian Horner says new engine deal represents transition, while team wait for F1 engine changes

Don't miss the F1 Midweek Report for analysis of the Abu Dhabi GP and all the latest F1 news. Former BAR boss David Richards and car designer Gary Anderson join Natalie Pinkham on Sky Sports F1 at 8:30pm on Wednesday.

Around Sky