“I don’t think this engine can go too much further," Horner admits
Monday 3 November 2014 18:37, UK
Red Bull team boss Christian Horner says they’re resigned to the likelihood that Sebastian Vettel will pick up an engine penalty at the forthcoming United States Grand Prix.
The World Champion said as much on television after finishing eighth in Sunday’s Russian GP and Horner later told journalists that the engine Vettel used in Sochi – his fifth of the season – is reaching the end of its life-span.
“We have to look after what’s happened here but I think the reality is that Sebastian will take a sixth engine in Austin because it’s inevitable he’s going to have to use it,” he said. “I don’t think this engine can really go too much further.”
Most drivers are now reaching the limit of five complete power units during a season without penalty; replacing any one of the six components results in a ten-place grid penalty.
However, should Vettel need a sixth complete power unit then he’d be forced to start the race from the pitlane.
The German won in Austin last year on his way to a fourth straight title, with his success at the Circuit of The Americas also part of a record-equalling tally of 13 victories in a single season.
In contrast, Vettel has been outperformed by new team-mate Daniel Ricciardo so far this year and recently announced that he was leaving Red Bull, with Horner naming Ferrari as his destination.
Mercedes also succeeded Red Bull as constructors’ champions at the weekend, although Horner was determined to put a positive spin on their difficult year.
“We’ve had a little bit of time to get our heads around it – from February in reality. In all honesty, Mercedes have done the best job this year and all it does is motivate you,” he added.
“You know how much work goes into winning a Championship and to win it four times in a row is an enormous achievement. We’ve had a disastrous year but we’re still second; we’re the only other team to win a grand prix and three of them at that.
“What we’ve managed to recover from this season – and the fact we’ve managed to take them this far into the year – I think is very much a result in itself.
“As the power units should hopefully converge into next season we should be able to give them a much bigger fight.”
