Source: Official Team Post via X
Christian Horner's Ban on the 'M' Word and Red Bull's Engine Journey
Christian Horner banned the word 'Mercedes' at Red Bull Powertrains, opting for 'team B' instead. He reflects on the early challenges of establishing Red Bull's engine division and the partnerships that followed.
Christian Horner, former Red Bull F1 team boss, has shared an amusing anecdote about the early days of Red Bull Powertrains (RBPT). After poaching a significant number of staff from Mercedes High Performance Powertrains, Horner found the constant references to their former employer a bit much. To curtail the frequent mentions of 'Mercedes', the term was humorously banned in meetings, replaced with the more neutral 'team B'.
This lighthearted ban came amidst Red Bull's major transition into becoming a full-fledged engine manufacturer, following Honda's initial decision to exit Formula 1. Horner explained that they faced a steep learning curve, noting that within a year, they had their first prototype engine up and running. Despite this progress, there was still some trepidation about whether they could produce a competitive power unit.
Initially, Red Bull explored a potential collaboration with Porsche. Horner recounted visiting Porsche's facilities at Weissach and realizing that Red Bull was ahead in preparations for the new Formula 1 regulations. The partnership, which would have been a 50-50 split, seemed fraught with potential compromises and ultimately did not materialize.
As the Porsche deal fell through, Red Bull needed a partner to share the burden of engine development. Enter Ford. Horner described a fruitful meeting in Detroit with Bill Ford and Jim Farley. Ford, having learned from its Jaguar days, offered support without overstepping, allowing Red Bull to lead the technical direction.
This partnership bore fruit quickly. In the 2023 season, the Red Bull-Ford engine claimed its first victory with Max Verstappen at the Bahrain Grand Prix. Verstappen followed up with another win in Singapore, marking a successful debut for the new power unit.
Horner reflected on the challenges of building an engine from scratch, emphasizing the pride he felt in Red Bull's accomplishments. Despite the daunting task of competing under the most complex engine regulations in F1 history, Red Bull managed to craft a winning engine in its debut year. Horner credited the success to the talented team they assembled and the commitment shown throughout the project.
In Horner's words, the journey from a start-up to a competitive engine manufacturer was both a terrifying and exhilarating experience. It stands as a testament to Red Bull's ambition and adaptability in the ever-evolving world of Formula 1.