When Honda announced they would leave Formula 1 at the end of 2021, it left many wondering what that meant for Red Bull who hooked up with the Japanese company ahead of the 2019 season. Well, it appears an agreement has been reached, with Helmut Marko confirming the team will continue to use Honda engines from 2022 onwards. However, there is a caveat as they require the FIA's approval, as well as the agreement of all the teams to a halt in engine development. The FIA ruling is expected next week while Marko has been appealing to the other constructors. "Everything is settled between us [Red Bull and Honda]," Marko told Auto Motor und Sport. "The moment is there. Everyone is on the starting blocks. But there is no agreement until we have written proof from the FIA that the development stop on the engine side will be there." Without the engine freeze, the project will not be viable as Red Bull don't yet have the resources to begin in-house development of their own engine. "The engine freeze is the most important thing," Marko added. "When the development stop is there, the whole project is easier for us to manage." And what if the FIA can't come to a resolution over the engine freeze that suits every team? In that scenario, Marko has warned that Red Bull's continued involvement in Formula 1 would be in jeopardy. "Red Bull would have to drastically rethink its Formula 1 situation," he said. "This is not blackmail. For pure reasons of cost, an engine freeze is the only way with these unfortunate engines." Asked if there is a plan B in place, Marko replied: "No, there isn't. You can understand it this way: all or nothing."
Most read
