Christian Horner has said that time is running out for Red Bull and Toro Rosso to seal an engine deal that will keep them in F1 next year.

The Red Bull Racing team principal said that the engine situation was now critical, adding that proposals to bring the start of the 2016 season forward by two weeks only intensifies the pressure on the team as it seeks to secure an acceptable deal with Ferrari.

"The situation is quite critical because, as we sit here, we don’t have an engine," he said on Sunday after the Japanese Grand Prix.

"Toro Rosso are in a similar situation and their timing is more critical," he added. "The teams are linked and I think Dietrich’s position is pretty clear.

"We’re already late, very late. For Toro Rosso, it is more critical than Red Bull Racing. It already was difficult two weeks ago."

Having already parted company with existing engine providers Renault after a disappointing couple of seasons since they won their last championship together, Red Bull has already ruled out taking a customer deal with main rivals Mercedes and are now relying on linking up with Ferrari next year.

However Red Bull owner Dietrich Mateschitz insists he'll only do a deal if Ferrari gives them the same specification engine that it provides the Scuderia, and reports suggest that Maranello management are only willing to provide 2015-spec power units.

"The important thing for us is to have a first-class engine," explained Horner.

"First of all, we need to conclude our situation with our current supplier, but I think Dietrich has made the situation very clear in terms of what we need from Ferrari.

"We know that there is an engine available at, say, a Sauber-spec service potentially, but even that has not been promised."

And if an acceptable engine proves not to be forthcoming from Maranello, then Horner insists that he will have no choice but to look at future options for the team outside of Formula One.

"[If] we are in a position where we can’t compete then, for sure, we would have to look at other activities. Milton Keynes is full of talent and we would have to look at where we apply that talent."

Chris Medland's Japanese Grand Prix review

Renault signs Lotus takeover letter

"I'm joking. You can laugh as well" - Rosberg and Vettel's awkward exchange

Click here for the F1 drivers' girlfriends gallery

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter

Andrew Lewin

Andrew first became a fan of Formula 1 during the time when Michael Schumacher and Damon Hill were stepping into the limelight after the era of Alain Prost, Nigel Mansell and Aryton Senna. He's been addicted ever since, and has been writing about the sport now for nearly a quarter of a century for a number of online news sites. He's also written professionally about GP2 (now Formula 2), GP3, IndyCar, World Rally Championship, MotoGP and NASCAR. In his other professional life, Andrew is a freelance writer, social media consultant, web developer/programmer, and digital specialist in the fields of accessibility, usability, IA, online communities and public sector procurement. He worked for many years in magazine production at Bauer Media, and for over a decade he was part of the digital media team at the UK government's communications department. Born and raised in Essex, Andrew currently lives and works in south-west London.

Recent Posts

Williams' Boutsen hoists the mainsail in Adelaide

On this day in 1989, Williams' Thierry Boutsen secured his second F1 win when he…

10 mins ago

Horner: Max 'answered critics' with epic Sao Paulo GP drive

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner hailed Max Verstappen’s sensational Sao Paulo Grand Prix victory…

48 mins ago

Sainz left puzzled by double crash drama in rainy São Paulo

Carlos Sainz was left scratching his head after a disastrous Sunday at the Sao Paulo…

2 hours ago

Alonso pushed through agonizing pain to complete Sao Paulo GP

Fernando Alonso braved both physical agony and mechanical challenges in the Sao Paulo Grand Prix,…

3 hours ago

Alpine double-podium in Brazil could deliver $30 million windfall

Alpine’s remarkable double podium at the São Paulo Grand Prix with Esteban Ocon and Pierre…

18 hours ago

F1i's Driver Ratings for the 2024 São Paulo GP

Alexander Albon, Williams (Did Not Start): 5.5/10 Alex Albon is definitely going through something of…

19 hours ago