McLaren are supposedly searching for an engine solution amid their ongoing struggles with Honda, before the Formula 1 season summer break there were murmurs that the team held talks with Renault, but Red Bull team boss Christian Horner doubts such a scenario will transpire.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Horner said, “I don’t think Renault could supply a fourth team. I don’t think they have the capacity to do that and they would also need FIA approval to do that which I which I can’t see happening.
“It is an FIA issue if Renault are to supply more than three teams, but I can’t imagine a situation where they would agree something which would be effectively be putting Honda out of Formula 1.”
“I don’t think Renault could supply a fourth team. I don’t think they have the capacity to do that and they would also need FIA approval to do that which I which I can’t see happening.”
“It is an FIA issue if Renault are to supply more than three teams, but I can’t imagine a situation where they would agree something which would be effectively be putting Honda out of Formula 1,” explained Horner.
Red Bull’s deal has them using Renault power units this season with ‘TAG Heuer’ badging, while their junior Toro Rosso team is also supplied by the French marque.
Horner also hints that there are contractual obligations between the energy drinks outfit and their engine supplier that would need to be addressed, “Within the contract there’s certain provisions. We learnt the lesson a couple of years ago with Ron Dennis and some of the clauses he puts into his contracts.”
The Red Bull chief is referencing the time, a few years ago, when Red Bull were seeking an alternative supplier to Renault, with Honda on their list. However the deal between Honda and McLaren, engineered by Dennis, precluded them from taking on an extra team
But added, “Any supply that Renault choose to make is ultimately down to them but I think three is their capacity at this point in time.”
Meanwhile, despite their poor showing over the past three years Honda is committed to Formula 1. Even in the face of Sauber pulling out of a deal, the Japanese company’s chiefs are adamant that they are working full-time to become competitive and do not entertain suggestions that McLaren may pull the plug.
Big Question: Would it be sensible for McLaren to ditch Honda and strike a Renault engine supply deal?