Independent engine supplier key to F1 future - Horner

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Red Bull's Christian Horner believes that F1's future engine platform must be accessible to independent suppliers.

Formula 1's sporting manager Ross Brawn is currently hard at work devising the post-2020 engine rules around a brief emphasizing the need for a simpler, louder and cheaper power unit.

But Horner adds that another essential engine criteria which will be key to the sport's future will be its ability to attract new suppliers capable of producing a competitive power unit at a reasonable cost.

"I think the most important thing for F1 post-2020 is a competitive independent engine," he told Motorsport.com.

"I think the regulations for that need to be set very soon.

"The engine within F1 is the biggest element that the commercial rights holder is focused on, because it dictates so many things, relating to cost, relating to performance and differential between suppliers – it's not great to see Fernando Alonso and McLaren in the situation that they're in, for example.

"Also from a show perspective and a fan's perspective, the engines need to be louder, and sound like F1 engines.

"So there are key criteria that need to be address that are very much the focus of the Liberty guys right now."

F1 CEO Chase Carey said that management's top priority was cutting Formula 1's exorbitant costs with a rules-based approach rather than a budget cap.

Horner agrees with the American manager's view.

"You've got to control costs through regulations – some of the Holy Grail of wind tunnels, CFD, the amount of ideas that you can put into the pipe.

"If you make the pipe smaller, then some of your costs will naturally fall away.

"To take out emotion and self gain, hopefully the FIA with Liberty need to look at 2021 regulations to say, what should F1 be?

"Should there be an element of standardisation for components that the average fan has no idea about? I get the feeling it will be quite radical."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.