Abiteboul: 'I don't think we are Red Bull's plan A'

Following yesterday's news that Honda will leave Formula 1 after 2021, Red Bull and AlphaTauri are now facing a major problem. However, a special rule seems to be able to help them.

Renault will have to help the affected teams by supplying engines, as the rules state that the engine manufacturer with the fewest customer teams is obliged to supply power to a team that does not have an engine. Red Bull has already had a partnership with Renault, resulting in four manufacturer's titles. However, the relationship ended painfully in 2018, with many frustrations on both sides.

So now it looks as if the two might be stuck together again from 2022 onwards. Cyril Abiteboul, Renault's team boss, informs Motorsport.com that he has not yet had any contact with Red Bull. "There have been no conversations yet. As participants in the sport we are of course familiar with the rules. We also have the intention to abide by those rules and obligations."

"Haven't had a request yet"

However, the French team will not contact Red Bull itself. "We need to get a request, but we haven't had one yet. Now we are still quite far from the moment we need to help. In Formula 1 a lot can change in a short period of time. But as I said before, we will deliver on our commitments."

Abiteboul does say that a new partnership with the Austrian team will feel a bit strange. "But we have to look at sport. It will be some time before we get there. In addition, I cannot imagine that they have no alternative at Red Bull. They must already have known about Honda's decision. Helmut Marko and Christian Horner are full of solutions. I do not think Renault is their plan A."