F1 at a crossroads over engine technology - Horner

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner believes Formula 1 is "really at a crossroads" when it comes to planning for the sport's future engine direction.

The current 1.6-liter V6 power units that were introduced in 2014 have helped deliver massive improvements in efficiency but have proven expensive, with the FIA taking steps to reduce the cost over the coming seasons in order to keep the current technology in place until 2020. Discussions are already taking place over what the next engine formula should be from 2021 onward – with many external manufacturers involved in the talks this year – but Horner wants F1 to move away from road relevancy.

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"I think we are really at a crossroads in terms of what do we want for the future," Horner said. "I think the technology belongs in Formula E, it has its place. It has the interest of the manufacturers in that type of racing and I think Formula 1 needs to go back to basics in many respects and focus on the ultimate competition of wheel-to-wheel racing, chariot racing in many respects. Who is the best driver working in the best team with the technology not playing such a high percentage [of influence]."

And Horner himself says he would reintroduce larger capacity engines, having made such a suggestion during a fan appearance at Silverstone and received positive feedback from those at the British Grand Prix this year.

"Personally if it were me, I would go back to a normally-aspirated, high-revving engine, whether it's a V10 or even a V12. We're producing this car for Aston Martin [the Valkyrie] and we went to the market and did a lot of research into what people wanted.

"Did they want a modern hybrid Formula 1-type engine or did they want a normally-aspirated, high-revving engine? Overwhelmingly the response came back [in favor of a naturally-aspirated V12].

"I did my own fan survey at Silverstone, which I'm happy to play you actually because it's quite overwhelming in terms of the reaction. When you actually ask the people what they want, it's pretty compelling."

However, Horner concedes the likelihood is for a V6 twin turbo to be introduced in 2021, but is at least encouraged that the current discussions place an emphasis on the sound of the next F1 engine.

"I doubt we'll go back to a normally-aspirated engine despite that being mine and the Silverstone crowd's wish. We'll end up with a V6 twin turbo, I'm pretty certain about that.

"But you know acoustics are a key aspect of what's been put on the table. Because unfortunately when this engine was introduced, the cost nor attractiveness – effectively through noise – were fundamental parts of what the engine should be."