Christian Horner claims Red Bull doesn’t want a ‘fuel or battery world championship’ over 2026 F1 regulations
Christian Horner has his fair share of doubts over the new set of engine regulations for the 2026 season onwards.
Christian Horner (Via: Imago)
The full set of regulations for the 2026 season for the chassis and engine have been released by FIA. While some of the changes are actually good for safety and overall competitiveness, some changes aren’t met with a lot of excitement. However, the new regulations make it seem that the engine will once again play the dominant part in the performance. Hence, Christian Horner shared his discontentment with this new set of regulations.
Formula 1’s turbo hybrid era was dominated by Mercedes ever since it began. However, Red Bull and Ferrari finally caught up to the development war and have started acing the ground-effect era. The competition was completely finished after Red Bull developed a chassis so dominant that disallowed any competition. As a result, over the new regulations, Christian Horner mentioned that the sport didn’t require a fuel or battery championship where the team with the best engine won the races easily.
We don't want a fuel or battery world championship. The car and the engine should be the focus.Christian Horner told auto-motor-und-sport.de.
?️ | Christian Horner on new engine regulation focusing on fuel and battery
— RBR News ???? (@redbulletin) June 13, 2024
"We don't want a fuel or battery world championship. The car and the engine should be the focus.
To achieve this, it is crucial for the cars to have a visual distinction."
[ℹ️ |… pic.twitter.com/5SlBXk6cQc
Apart from this, the Red Bull team principal had multiple suggestions which could help facilitate better competition. Horner reckoned that adding visual distinction to the challengers present on the grid could improve competition. Formula 1 doesn’t need a repeat of the 2023 season which saw little to no competition in the championship.
To achieve this, it is crucial for the cars to have a visual distinction.Christian Horner added.
Christian Horner believes FIA and FOM to make the ‘right decisions’ for the 2026 regulations
The new set of regulations is yet to be set in stone for the 2026 season onwards. Hence, multiple team principals have showcased their resentment with this issue. Regardless, Christian Horner has unwavering faith in FIA and FOM to put forth the best possible regulations. According to Horner, the issue was for the whole governing body of F1 and hence it wasn’t too late to bring about changes to the regulations.
It is a matter for the world governing body. And I say it is never too late [for changes].Christian Horner said, as reported by motorsport-total.com.
Apart from this, the 50-year-old claimed that FIA had all the ‘know-how’ and the simulators for the 2026 regulations. Hence, this was the reason that Horner was so sure of FIA and FOM’s decision to put forth the regulations. The 2026 season onwards will be highly exciting as multiple drivers could change teams for a better shot at performing well, while other teams will try to perform the best in the new regulations.
The FIA has all the know-how and the simulations [for 2026]. I trust the FIA and the Formula 1 management to make the right decisions.Christian Horner added.
Formula 1 needs a high level of racing action in all orders of the teams to make it more engaging. While the current set of regulations has enabled a shot at declining Red Bull’s dominance, they continue to dominate the playing field. Due to a lot of changes in the Austrian constructor’s crew, anything can happen for the team by the 2026 season.
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