Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has explained why its engine supplier Honda has only extended its agreement for one year.
Honda announced this week that it would continue to supply both Red Bull and Toro Rosso (to be renamed AlphaTauri next season) through 2021, which is a one-year extension to its current supply deal.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Horner explained that the short extension will allow the Japanese manufacturer to assess the new '21 regulations before making a concrete commitment, as well as learning more about proposed engine restrictions which are being discussed for '22.
"It’s great news that they’ve committed beyond 2020, so we’ve got a minimum of two years that we’re absolutely fixed on," said the Briton.
"They’re just waiting to see what are the regulations that are going to come in either for 2021, or primarily ’22 with regards to homologation or engine freezes to get the costs down."
Currently the engine rules are set to remain stable but with cost controls coming in, there are plans to limit engine spending and move to more standardised parts which some manufacturers are against.
Horner is hopeful that the relationship will continue and praised their first season together, which has delivered three wins.
"We’re talking about the future. The discussion wasn’t just about ’21. There’s a real appetite there to build on what we’ve achieved so far in this relationship. It’s a great partnership between Red Bull and Honda as we’ve seen this year.
"Three victories this year, could have potentially been more, two pole positions – three that we achieved but didn’t start from pole on one of those three occasions – it’s been a great year for them," he added.
"The reliability has been better, the performance has been getting stronger and stronger. You can see that in motion with the pride, the passion that exists within Honda. It’s great to see and great to be part of."
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