Horner says no to Ferrari 'customer' engine

Red Bull Racing has ruled out switching to customer Ferrari power.

As the former champions' troubled relationship with Renault continues to crumble, the speculation has been swirling around the paddock of the Red Bull Ring.


But team owner Dietrich Mateschitz played it down, arguing that being a mere 'customer' of a F1 rival "would never be good enough" to win more world titles.

After Mateschitz's comments, however, Red Bull official Dr Helmut Marko had at least confirmed that an offer was made recently by Ferrari president Sergio Marchionne.

"Maybe there was a vague offer," team boss Christian Horner has now told the German newspaper Bild am Sonntag.

"But Red Bull will definitely not be getting a customer engine from Ferrari.

"I do think it's unlikely that, as a customer team, you could go all the way to the top, because you would always be receiving an inferior engine," Horner added.

Replies (3)

Login to reply
  • scf1fan

    Posts: 58

    ""I do think it's unlikely that, as a customer team, you could go all the way to the top, because you would always be receiving an inferior engine," Horner added." Ok, I'm confused . . . How many WCs, did "Red Bull" win with a "customer" "Infinity/Renault" engine? I guess it must have to do with how CH defines "customer?" (I think my quote finger is about to "fall" off. :-)

    • + 0
    • Jun 21 2015 - 19:34
  • denis1304

    Posts: 284

    @scf1fan RB is not Renault customer, because they get "best PU" Renault can deliver... same as McLaren with Honda

    • + 0
    • Jun 21 2015 - 19:59
  • scf1fan

    Posts: 58

    @DENIS1304 - It seems that by default you are correct, but I would say only by the most literal reading of the spirit of the word customer; and only in F1's current state! (Not that I exhaustively checked every option.) Currently Renault supplies the two RB teams, which makes them (sort of) more of a "partner" than a supplier. (Such as Honda is a partner with McLaren.) But part of that is by default due to the fact that other teams left Renault!! I would argue that a more reasonable reading of being a customer would be that if you don't build your own, or you don't have an exclusive agreement, you are a customer.
    .
    And to the main direction of my point, there is no doubt that the majority of RB's wins were as a Renault customer; no matter how privileged the RB team was at the time. (Even when there was an actual Renault team! (Hope I have my timelines straight . . . ))

    • + 0
    • Jun 23 2015 - 00:35

AZ Azerbaijan Grand Prix

Local time 

AZAzerbaijan Grand Prix

Local time 

World Championship standings 2025

Show full world champion standings

Test calendar

See full test schedule

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2025

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
14 - Mar 16 2025
Australia
21 - Mar 23 2025
China
4 - Apr 6 2025
Japan
11 - Apr 13 2025
Bahrain
18 - Apr 20 2025
Saudi Arabia
2 - May 4 2025
United States of America
16 - May 18 2025
Italy
23 - May 25 2025
Monaco
30 - Jun 1 2025
Spain
13 - Jun 15 2025
Canada
27 - Jun 29 2025
Austria
4 - Jul 6 2025
United Kingdom
25 - Jul 27 2025
Belgium
1 - Aug 3 2025
Hungary
29 - Aug 31 2025
Netherlands
5 - Sep 7 2025
Italy
19 - Sep 21 2025
Azerbaijan
3 - Oct 5 2025
Singapore
17 - Oct 19 2025
United States of America
24 - Oct 26 2025
Mexico
7 - Nov 9 2025
Brazil
21 - Nov 23 2025
United States of America
28 - Nov 30 2025
Qatar
5 - Dec 7 2025
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2025

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
14 - Mar 16 2025
Australia Albert Park
21 - Mar 23 2025
4 - Apr 6 2025
11 - Apr 13 2025
18 - Apr 20 2025
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
2 - May 4 2025
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
16 - May 18 2025
23 - May 25 2025
Monaco Monte Carlo
30 - Jun 1 2025
13 - Jun 15 2025
27 - Jun 29 2025
Austria Red Bull Ring
4 - Jul 6 2025
United Kingdom Silverstone
25 - Jul 27 2025
1 - Aug 3 2025
Hungary Hungaroring
29 - Aug 31 2025
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
5 - Sep 7 2025
Italy Monza
19 - Sep 21 2025
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
3 - Oct 5 2025
17 - Oct 19 2025
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
24 - Oct 26 2025
7 - Nov 9 2025
Brazil Interlagos
21 - Nov 23 2025
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
28 - Nov 30 2025
5 - Dec 7 2025
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar