Brundle: Now critical for F1 'to get its next engine right'

Sky F1's Martin Brundle says Honda's exit from F1 critically puts the onus on the sport to get its next power unit right in terms of relevancy and cost.

Honda's withdrawal from Grand Prix racing at the end of 2021 will likely leave just three engine suppliers on the grid from 2022 - Mercedes, Ferrari and Renault.

Honda justified its decision to pull out from F1 by its need "to funnel its corporate resources in research and development into the areas of future power unit and energy technologies", but the Japanese manufacturer's exit is also an indictment of the sport's costly and overcomplex engine regulations.

Brundle believes Honda's resolution will force F1 to think long and hard about the future power unit regulations that will come into force in 2026.

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"There is no way you can paint a positive picture on the Honda news except for the fact that it will really focus minds on the new power unit and how critical it is to get that right," Brundle told Sky Sports.

"The big global car groups like Mercedes and BMW have currently got to offer petrol, diesel, hybrid and electric cars, while they'll also be investing in fuel-cell technology. That's five completely different power sources.

"Formula 1 finds itself in a conundrum in terms of that relevance.

"As I've said on Sky F1 and in my columns in the past, I've always felt that these current V6 hybrid engines were a mistake because they're too heavy, too expensive and too complex.

"I know Formula 1 are currently working on the new 2026 engine and the relevance and importance of that will have just taken a great big step forward with this announcement."

Brundle suggests the best approach for F1 would entail taking a step back and adopting in the future a set of engine rules favouring entertainment over technological relevance. A view that encourages the FIA to give up once and for all on its fight to keep F1 road relevant.

"You can't imagine any other manufacturers wanting to join in with a super-expensive hybrid F1 engine now, it's not relevant to their future business models," added the former F1 driver.

"So it's now about what F1 does next in terms of creating an exciting power unit for the show and the fans.

"We all miss the V8s and the V10s and Mick Schumacher driving Michael's 2004 car at Mugello the other week just reminded us how evocative and exciting the engines of that era were.

"For me, Formula 1 is entertainment first and foremost and we've got to have a power unit that entertains and excites."

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