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Red Bull's 2026 F1 Proposal Spurned by Engine Giants

F1 Makers Reject Red Bull’s 2026 Electric Cutback Plan

29/06/2024

F1 engine manufacturers have rejected Red Bull’s 2026 proposal, deeming the timing for reducing electric components too late.

The F1 2026 regulations are currently a contentious topic within the paddock.

Red Bull Powertrains has put forward a new proposal, initiated by Red Bull boss Christian Horner, to reduce components intended for managing electric power.

The Austrian team had warned as early as last year that it would be extremely challenging for F1 to manage a 50-50 balance between thermal and electric power on each lap.

This time, Red Bull has highlighted the issue of weight, aiming to meet the FIA’s desired goal of reducing weight by 30 kilograms.

However, the proposal was definitively rejected by other engine manufacturers for 2026.

“In principle,” says Ferrari boss FrEd Vasseur, “less electric power could make sense from today’s perspective, but to revert now would involve immense costs.”

“We all have prototypes of our powertrains and batteries on test benches for a long time. It’s too late to go back unless the introduction of the new rules is delayed by a year.”

Toto Wolff, director of Mercedes F1, agrees: “It would be far too expensive to do now. We are already too far advanced in terms of development.”

“Perhaps we can do something at the energy production level. One possibility is that the full electric power might not always be available.”

Red Bull's 2026 F1 Proposal Spurned by Engine Giants

Red Bull’s 2026 F1 Proposal Spurned by Engine Giants. Red Bull’s 2026 F1 Proposal Spurned by Engine Giants

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