A COMBINATION OTHER TEAMS IN F1 SHOULD FEAR?

Can Red Bull succeed where Mclaren failed? Some observers were quick to suggest the move to Honda power for 2019 was a big mistake, but there are signs it could be what both parties need. Mclaren’s ongoing troubles have demonstrated that Honda wasn’t entirely to blame for the Woking team’s 2015-17 woes, while Red Bull – whose relationship with Renault broke down long ago – has been impressed by the Japanese giant’s progress with Toro Rosso. In Scott Mitchell’s cover piece this week (page 14), we look at how the Red Bull-honda marriage finally came about, what progress has already been made and what can be expected in the future. A Mercedes v Ferrari v Red Bull-honda v revived-renault battle would do Formula 1 the world of good. Even more important than that, though, is where the 2021 regulations end up. Some progress seemed to have been made, but now the big teams have pushed back, raising concerns as to whether F1 will really get the changes it needs. On the face of it, it seems sensible to have input from competitors when formulating new rules, but history shows us this has not always helped F1. Perhaps it’s finally time for Liberty and the FIA to simply create what they deem to be the ideal regulations. Then the teams can just decide whether they’re going to play or not. F1 needs to get its house in order, partly because of its importance as motorsport’s pre-eminent category, and partly to ensure it retains that position. As 2016 F1 world champion Nico Rosberg tells us in an interview this week (p22), there are good reasons why he is investing in Formula E. As a sign of the times, look no further than last weekend’s Goodwood Festival of Speed. It’s an event where the history of the sport is celebrated, and where the two fastest cars were electric…