- Red Bull
Teams have to take the blame for spike in costs - Horner
Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has warned an increase in costs could make it "impossible" for teams lower down the grid to survive next season, but says they only have themselves to blame.
Next year will see the introduction of a new engine formula, with V6 turbo engines and more powerful energy recovery units replacing the V8s used in 2013. The new technology will see engine bills sky rocket and require cars to be redesigned, with total costs set to rise between €25 million and €40 million.
Several teams are already struggling with the current cost of competing, but Horner says there is now no way of curbing the additional expense expected next year.
"It's a little bit late, really," he said. "The costs are going to significantly increase. The engines are far more expensive, and to operate that engine - just the radiator bill alone next year compared to this year is looking like it's going to be double.
"Then of course we've added four in-season tests, so the teams have only got themselves to blame because each of the regulations that have been introduced next year will have a dramatic impact on costs. We can all stick our heads in the sand and dance around the periphery, but until you address the fundamentals the rest of it is just window dressing."
Horner said Red Bull is able to plug the gap with prize money and by bringing new sponsors on board, but does not know how smaller teams will manage.
"The impact of next year's costs for us could range anywhere between €25 million and €40 million. We have to go out and find that because Red Bull won't fill that deficit and that's why we have a lot more partners on the car. Thankfully we've been successful and we've managed to attract good partners and good prize revenues, but if you're further down the grid it must be impossible to counter the increase in costs versus generating income."
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