F1 News, Reports and Race Results

Red Bull could scrap F1 and head to Le Mans in 2021!

If Formula 1's future regulations aren't in phase with Red Bull's expectations, the company could leave Grand Prix racing and support an Aston Martin Valkyrie-based effort at Le Mans.

Red Bull Racing will enjoy the works support of Honda for the next two seasons, with its future beyond 2020 dependent on the partnership's results, but also on F1's ability to offer teams a viable regulation and commercial platform from 2021.

Red Bull motorsport boss Helmut Marko believes that the company's prospects, as they currently stand, are unclear. The Austrian's only certainty is that Red Bull will no longer settle for customer status in F1.

"We have an agreement until 2020," Marko told Autosport.

"As long as there is no engine regulation and no Concorde Agreement, neither Red Bull nor Honda will make a decision.

"However, we will certainly not become dependent again, as we have been in the past, when we were begging others and statements and promises were not kept.

"Stop is the option. Or do something else, other racing series."

One racing alternative that could come under consideration for Red Bull would be Le Mans, with the WEC ushering in new regulations in 2020 centered around a class of hypercar machines, something right up Aston Martin's alley.

"With the Valkyrie, Le Mans could be an option with hypercar rules. We went through with it, and it's a sensational success," Marko said.

"The cars were all sold out immediately. That's another good pillar for Red Bull Technologies."

©WRI2

Marko therefore envisions a life after Formula 1 for Red Bull Racing, or activities parallel to Formula 1.

"If there was a cost cap in Formula 1, we would have to cut people. We don't necessarily want that. We could then use them in such projects [as Le Mans]," he explained.

"It still looks like you can run in the WEC at a reasonable cost with the base of our Valkyrie.

"Although Red Bull has never been to the 24 Hours, that's something we're thinking about.

"The main financial burden would be on Aston Martin, which is also clear, because at Le Mans the manufacturer wins. But that would fit into our concept."

Gallery: The beautiful wives and girlfriends of F1 drivers

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

Michael Delaney

Recent Posts

Zak Brown fires back at Australian politician’s bias claim

McLaren boss Zak Brown has brushed off a claim from Australian senator Matt Canavan that…

1 hour ago

Abu Dhabi GP: Norris comfortably tops FP2 from Verstappen

Lando Norris closed out Friday at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix with authority, topping the…

1 hour ago

Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Free Practice 2 - Results

Full results from Free Practice 2 for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at Yas Marina,…

2 hours ago

Sutil denies fraud allegations, lawyer claims he’s a victim

Intrigue is swirling around Adrian Sutil after the former Grand Prix driver was arrested in…

3 hours ago

A final farewell to motorsport’s single Triple Crown winner

On this day in 1975, a somber mood enveloped St Albans Abbey in Hertfordshire as…

3 hours ago

Russell on McLaren’s team-order talk: ‘Not acceptable or fair’

As Abu Dhabi prepares to crown a world champion, McLaren has finally cracked the door…

4 hours ago