In recent weeks, some engine manufacturers have indicated that the rules for the 2026 Formula 1 engines should be reviewed while there is still time, particularly regarding the current 50-50 balance between combustion engine and electric component.
Christian Horner has spoken specifically on behalf of Red Bull Powertrains, arguing that drivers will have to change gears on straights and that teams will have to build “Frankenstein” cars.
On the other hand, Scuderia Ferrari boss Frederic Vasseur has stated that the Maranello team is open to discussing changes, adding that a 5% shift in the electric/ICE distribution could make a big difference. The Frenchman also insists that more information on chassis regulations is needed before making any decisions.
However, Otmar Szafnauer explained that Renault is satisfied with the originally agreed-upon rules.
“Speaking with the engine chiefs, we want to keep things as they are,” he said when asked by Motorsport.com to comment on the 2026 engines. Now, I don’t follow the matter closely, I haven’t been involved in the negotiations and the reasons, but I did ask them these questions. And yes, we are happy to keep things as they are. So I imagine it will be unlikely to be changed.” – he pointed out.
Otmar Szafnauer downplayed Horner’s reference to “Frankenstein” cars.
“We haven’t reached that point yet,” he said. “We haven’t established it yet. I hope it’s not a Frankenstein package. I remember attending all the meetings to define the current regulations, and everyone, including myself, was saying that the races would be terrible, the cars would all be the same, it wouldn’t be Formula 1 anymore, and so on. But it didn’t turn out that way. So it’s difficult to predict the future, especially when the chassis regulations haven’t been finalized yet. So we hope to get there.”
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Christian Horner suggested that Red Bull is more concerned about 2026 compared to some rivals because the company is further along in development and has therefore discovered the pitfalls earlier. Otmar Szafnauer is skeptical of the claim that Red Bull is more advanced, while acknowledging that it is impossible to know to what extent others have progressed with their research and development.
“It’s one of those things where you need perfect information to be able to compare,” he said. “And I don’t have it. I know where we are. I don’t know where the others are. In the past, I’ve worked for other engine manufacturers. So I can only imagine what Honda has already done once they decided to participate. So I would be surprised if Red Bull is ahead.”
