Horner: Engine mode ban "healthy" for F1
Red Bull Formula 1 team principal Christian Horner is supportive of the FIA’s move to clamp down on teams using higher engine modes during qualifying, saying it is a "healthy thing for the manufacturers".

In the week leading up to the Spanish Grand Prix, the teams were informed by the FIA that there will be less scope to play with different engine modes from the Belgian Grand Prix onwards, which will particularly affect teams running so-called ‘party modes’ during qualifying.
The clampdown, which is set to be formalised in a technical directive, is seen to particularly affect the dominant Mercedes team, which tends to find a lot of extra performance in the crucial stages of qualifying, and its customers Racing Point and Williams.
On Thursday Mercedes’ world champion Lewis Hamilton argued the ban was put in place “to try and slow us down”, while Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc admitted it was “only a positive” for Ferrari given its straight-line speed deficit in 2020.
Read Also:
Red Bull’s Christian Horner suggests all teams will be affected by the engine mode ban, but believes the FIA’s initiative is “a healthy thing” for the manufacturers.
"It will affect all teams, the question is how much”, Horner said on Friday. "I think that these qualifying modes have been pushed and developed over the years.
“With exhaust blowing for example, we had to run a standard map throughout weekend. And I think this is just adopting a similar methodology to that, which I think is sensible for Formula 1.
"There’s inevitably enormous cost that’s associated with developing these different modes and actually I think it’s a healthy thing for the manufacturers and if anything, if it creates better and closer racing it's a positive for Formula 1.”
The engine mode ban was mentioned in a letter sent to the teams by the FIA, which also addressed the ongoing Racing Point saga over its use of Mercedes’ 2019 brake ducts.
While the matter is going to the International Court of Appeal, further questions were asked about the wider implications of Racing Point’s 15 point and 400,000 euro penalty for the future of the sport.
Horner welcomed the FIA’s clarifications on the matter, as the philosophical question over what a manufacturer should design and produce itself particularly affects Red Bull.
The energy drink giant owns both Red Bull Racing and the Italy-based AlphaTauri squad, which used to run customer Red Bull cars in its early Toro Rosso days.
"I think we’ve been encouraged to see the letters and correspondence from the FIA, that are looking to provide clarity regarding the constructor definition in many respects”, Horner added.
"For Red Bull, that does own 100 percent of two teams, that has enormous importance. That is encouraging.
"We were also encouraged with the engine technical directive that they are talking about. That again could close up the racing."
Related video

Previous article
F1 teams agree to ban testing at new 2020 race venues
Next article
Mercedes "in better shape" managing tyre temperatures

About this article
Series | Formula 1 |
Event | Spanish GP |
Teams | Red Bull Racing |
Author | Filip Cleeren |
Horner: Engine mode ban "healthy" for F1
Trending
The tricky driver conundrums facing Mercedes in F1 2021
Ahead of the new Formula 1 season, reigning world champions Mercedes will take on challenges both old and new. This also can be said for its driver conundrum which could become key to sustaining its ongoing success...
How Alpine's cure to 2021 F1 rules starts at the front
A new name, new faces and new colours pulls the rebranded Alpine Formula 1 team into a new era while carrying over core elements of its 2020 car. But under the surface there's more than meets the eye with the A521 which hints at how the team will tackle 2021...
Can Mercedes' W12 retain the team's crown?
Replacing Formula 1's fastest car was never going to be an easy feat for Mercedes. Amid the technical rule tweaks to peg back the W12 and its 2021 rivals, the new Mercedes challenger will remain the target to beat
The pointed note that starts Ferrari's Leclerc vs Sainz era
Ferrari is starting its post-Sebastian Vettel age by welcoming Carlos Sainz in alongside Charles Leclerc. But while Sainz has a tough challenge to match his new teammate, Ferrari is also sending a message that previous intra-team spats must end
The mantra Ocon must follow to challenge Alonso at Alpine
OPINION: It's been an uneasy ride for Esteban Ocon since his F1 comeback - and fresh challenges lie in wait as he's joined by double world champion Fernando Alonso in the newly rebranded Alpine team. STUART CODLING sets out a roadmap to success…
Why Haas is willing to sacrifice its 2021 F1 season
Every Formula 1 team is facing the same difficult decision this season: how do you split precious aero development time between the current car and the all-new 2022 project?
The big questions of F1 2021 - Karun Chandhok
After an unprecedented season last year, there are plenty of questions and storylines for the upcoming Formula 1 campaign. Sky Sports F1 pundit Karun Chandhok gives his verdict.
How McLaren F1’s new investors have already made an impact
The deal McLaren concluded with MSP Sports Capital last year which will help the cash-strapped Formula 1 team pay for much-needed infrastructure upgrades, also points toward the future for F1 itself, says GP Racing's Stuart Codling.