In the round-up: Red Bull team principal Christian Horner says they have a long way to go with preparations to build their own power units from 2026.
In brief
Horner: “We’re desperately trying to catch up” with our engine department
After Red Bull’s engine supplier Honda exited Formula 1 at the end of 2021, the team took over the manufacturing of its own power units, which are now badged ‘RBPT Honda’ to reflect their lineage. However from 2026 onwards a new engine formula will be introduced in F1, and Red Bull will be fully responsible for the design of its future power units.
“We’re building a new engine for 2026 as well, and we’re desperately trying to catch up,” Horner said in an interview for the team’s website. “We’re building it here [in Milton Keynes, at the racing team’s base], it’s a start-up new business that we’ve welcomed 400 new members to the team in, and we started from scratch.
“We had our first V6 engine running about nine months ago, and we’re building on that. There’s never a dull moment.”
Although it’s not entirely clear who will be supplying which teams in some instances, the FIA has already confirmed that Alpine, Audi, Ferrari, Honda, Mercedes, and Red Bull (the latter in partnership with Ford) will be the engine manufacturers present on the F1 grid come 2026.
Indy 500 winner Johncock honoured with ‘Baby Borg’ trophy
Gordon Johncock, the 1976 IndyCar champion and winner of the Indianapolis 500 in 1973 and 1982, has received a ‘Baby Borg’ trophy from Borg-Warner who make the winner’s trophy that is presented each year at the Indy 500.
The replica ‘Baby Borg’ trophy was handed to Johncock at a presentation in Indianapolis with 100 guests, as next month marks the 50th anniversary of his first Indy 500 win.
It was special to have everyone be part of the day,” he said. “And thanks to all my old crew members. It takes a whole team to win at Indy or any race and they were right by my side for all those years and I’m happy to see them too. It takes a lot of luck to win Indy, it’s the hardest and greatest race to win in the world.”
Johncock’s IndyCar career started in 1964, with his first win coming a year later. He stopped racing in the series full-time at the end of 1984, at which point he had amassed 25 wins from 255 races. He did eight further races over the next eight years before retiring.
IndyCar champion Palou signs drivers to his own team
Palou Motorsport, the new junior single-seater team launched by 2021 IndyCar champion and McLaren F1 reserve driver Alex Palou, has announced its drivers for the upcoming Eurocup-3 season.
Eurocup-3 is a new European series using cars based on Formula Regional chassis, and has so far attracted 12 drivers. Palou’s team will run Russian racer Miron Pingasov and Spanish talent Javier Sagrera.
Pingasov steps up after two years racing in Formula 4, where he had a best finish of fourth, while Sagrera has raced in GB3 for two seasons and picked up two podium results in that time.
Advert | Become a RaceFans supporter and
Links
Motor racing links of interest:
How does the new F1 sprint format work? (Mercedes)
Andrew Shovlin: “It’s been interesting as we didn’t actually know the format until Tuesday as the rules were voted on at the F1 Commission meeting. We looked at three eventualities that may have happened and prepared tyre and run plans for all of those.”
“IRacing already hosts both series on its simulation platform, has a consumer base of dedicated gamers and successful scans of virtually any track. iRacing is owned, in part by John Henry, the principal owner (40% stakeholder) of Fenway Sports Group, which owns the Boston Red Sox, the Pittsburgh Penguins and Liverpool Football Club and holds just under a 50% stake of NASCAR team RFK Racing.”
Enzo Trulli to make Euroformula return in Algarve cameo (Formula Scout)
‘Motopark’s Japanese offshoot CryptoTower Racing Team has announced Enzo Trulli – son of Formula 1 grand prix winner Jarno – for this weekend’s Euroformula season opener at Algarve, but for no further rounds.’
‘Masahiko Kondo, the new chairman of Super Formula series organiser Japan Race Promotion, visited the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology on April 26, and paid a courtesy visit to to Koji Murofushi, Commissioner of the Japan Sports Agency. One of their points of discussion was how the jurisdiction of Japanese motorsport needs to improve.’
Serious business and going between the ropes: Getting to know the real Amaury Cordeel (Formula 2)
‘One of the drivers to switch colours for 2023, Amaury Cordeel is gearing up for the Baku race weekend as the F2 drivers take on the third street circuit in four races. The Virtuosi Racing driver took some time out of his preparations to answer some pressing questions in order to get to know him a little better.’
The setup: Barber with Matt Barnes (IndyCar)
‘The fourth round of the 2023 IndyCar season is this weekend at Barber Motorsports Park. The 2.3-mile, 17-turn road course features elevation changes that span 80 feet, along with a narrow 45-foot racing surface. Last year, Matt Barnes engineered Ed Carpenter Racing’s Rinus VeeKay to pole and devised a car setup that led a race-high 57 lap. Today, he shares his technical insight on Barber with IndyCar.’
Enjoy some downtime fishing on a lake: Piotr Wisnicki on his hometown (Formula 3)
‘Fresh off the back of four days of in-season testing in Barcelona and Imola, Piotr Wisnicki has a chance to enjoy a break from behind the wheel before the 2023 campaign recommences next month. We caught up with the PHM Racing by Charouz rookie to find out more about where he calls home and it’s close-knit community.’
We always endeavour to credit original sources. If you have a tip for a link relating to single-seater motorsport to feature in the next RaceFans round-up please send it to us via the contact form.
Advert | Become a RaceFans supporter and
Happy birthday!
Happy birthday to El Gordo!
