Helmut MarkoGETTY IMAGES
Red Bull "could target Le Mans 24 Hours success with an Aston Martin Valkyrie-based hypercar instead of Formula 1" if it does not "see a viable post-2020 grand prix future," according to Nimmervoll & Mitchell of AUTOSPORT. The team will switch from being a Renault engine customer to "having de facto works Honda status" for '19 "in a bid to fight for titles again." Liberty Media is targeting a commercial and regulatory revolution once the current Concorde Agreement expires after the '20 season, "but has failed to make significant progress." Red Bull F1 Dir Helmut Marko said that his team "is not interested in becoming a customer again and has made it clear that Red Bull will not be held to ransom over planned rule changes." He said, "As long as there is no engine regulation and no Concorde Agreement, neither Red Bull nor Honda will make a decision. However, we will certainly not become dependent again, as we have been in the past, when we were begging others and statements and promises were not kept." Red Bull's current Honda deal includes the '19 and '20 seasons. Beyond then, Red Bull's choices "appear limited" if there are not favorable terms to continue. Marko added, "Stop is the option. Or do something else, other racing series. With the Valkyrie, Le Mans could be an option with hypercar rules. We went through with it, and it's a sensational success" (AUTOSPORT, 12/26).
