No agenda to run third cars, says Horner

Christian Horner denies that any progress has been made on the plan to run third cars in 2015, despite the smaller teams believing that discussions have progressed on the subject. In theory Bernie Ecclestone has the right to request RBR, Ferrari and McLaren to field extra entriesshould the grid fall below 18.

In addition to the alternative path of customer cars the idea of Super GP2 – in effect a Class B to bolster the F1 field – was mentioned in discussions last weekend. Lotus, Sauber and Force India are vehemently opposed to any change to the current system, and all three suspect that moves are already in hand to make changes that put a focus on the top five teams.

Certainly Red Bull's position is that we want to see a full grid of two car teams.

Christain  Horner

“Not at all,” said Horner when ask if there was an agenda. “Certainly Red Bull's position is that we want to see a full grid of two car teams. We have an obligation, as do a couple of other teams, that if the numbers drop below a certain number, then we will be required by the promoter to field a third car. The numbers haven't dropped significantly low enough, and we haven't been requested by the promoter to run a third car. Our preference is that we have at least 10 healthy competing two-car teams.

Personally I'm not a big fan of three-car teams.

Christian Horner

“I think the third car is only a scenario if the numbers drop, and at the moment it's not something that we're planning, it's not something that we are pushing for. If we were requested to do it. “Personally I'm not a big fan of three-car teams. I think it's moving away from what F1 should be. But of there's no option, no alternative, then Red Bull would have a commitment that yes, we would have to field a third car.”

Regarding the extra cost he said: “If there was a third car that was requested to be run, we couldn't do it within our existing budget. You're looking at €35-40m.”