Elon Musk threw a challenge to Red Bull at Miami GP, reveals Christian Horner

Christian Horner revealed that Elon Musk was keen on presenting a challenge to Red Bull.


Elon Musk threw a challenge to Red Bull at Miami GP, reveals Christian Horner

Christian Horner and Elon Musk in the Red Bull garage during the Miami GP, image via News.com.au

The Miami GP was a star-studded event with some of the biggest names gracing the F1 paddock. Elon Musk was one of the special guests in the Red Bull Racing garage, and the Tesla boss got a taste of the pinnacle of motorsport. Red Bull Team Principal Christian Horner revealed that Musk was interested in giving a challenge to the Milton Keynes team.

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Horner was glad to have the 51-year-old in the paddock. Elon witnessed the true nature of an internal combustion series, albeit with hybrid power. Christian Horner reckoned that the SpaceX boss was impressed with the F1 power units. Musk had the opportunity to understand the workings of the power unit, including the battery output.

Elon Musk was interested in making Horner’s team race one of the Tesla electric vehicles. However, the 51-year-old was forced to dismiss the plan due to the short range of EVs. Christian stated, “[Elon] threw down the gauntlet of wanting to race us with one of his electrical vehicles – but then realized that they could only do half the race.”

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Christian Horner open to “talent” like Elon Musk to invest in F1

Sergio Perez, 2023 Saudi Arabian GP image via Formu1a.uno
Sergio Perez, 2023 Saudi Arabian GP (Image via Formu1a.uno)

The Red Bull boss pointed out that Elon Musk was a guest at the Austrian team’s garage because of his connections with title sponsor Oracle. Elon and Oracle Chairman Larry Ellison are business partners. Horner praised the 51-year-old’s work in the field of technology and appreciated meeting one of the wealthiest individuals globally. The Briton hinted at the possibility of Musk investing in F1.

Formula 1 has adopted major changes for the 2026 Power Unit regulations. The sport plans on increasing the role of electric power in F1 cars. Horner believes this could serve as the perfect opportunity to attract pioneers like Musk’s Tesla into F1. He said, “It would obviously be great to attract talent like that to come and invest in Formula 1.” Although, Red Bull has tied up with Ford for the new regulations.

Thus, Christian Horner highlighted that Elon Musk was keen on making Red Bull race its electric vehicles as a challenge. However, the lack of long-range currently dismisses the Tesla cars as a potential candidate for such an affair. As technology progresses, the day might not be too far for Red Bull to complete an entire GP in an electric vehicle.

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