A𒉰 takeover of Honda’s abandoned Formula 1 engine project is the preferred option being considered by Red Bull for post-2021.

Honda’s decision to quit F1 at the end of 2021 has left Red Bull and 🐭ꦛits sister squad AlphaTauri searching for a new power unit solution from 2022 and beyond.

Mercedes has already ruled out supplying engines to Red Bull, while Ferrari has stressed𒁃 iღt has not considered a customer supply deal. Under F1’s sporting regulations, Renault would be forced to supply Red Bull if an alternative is not found in time for 2022.

Another option for Red Bull wo🌸uld be a continuation project whereby the team would takeover Honda’s engine technology at its current UK facility near Milton Keynes and run the power units itself.

But Red Bull’s motorsport advisor Helmut Marko said such a move would only be possible if the FI🐠A agreed to a freeze on engine development from the start of 2022.

"It's a very complex subject - just as complex as these engines are,” Marko told꧒ German channel Sport1.

"We would favour, provided the talks wꦅith Honda are positive, that we take over the IP rights and everything that is necessary, to then prepare and deploy the 🎶engines ourselves in Milton Keynes.

"But this is only possible on condition that the engines are frozen by the first race in 2022 at the latest. We cannot afford further development, neither technically nor financia♌lly. That is a prerequisite.”

Team principal Christian Horner said at the Eifel Grand Prix that Red Bull was considering “all options” but did not directly rule out 🐬the possibility of a continuation project with independent support, indicating that a customer deal does not align with Red꧒ Bull’s aspirations.

Honda will develop a brand new engine for 2021 a𝔍nd has i𓆏nsisted that it would help Red Bull in any transition period as discussions between the two parties over a succession plan begin.

Marko explained thatꦦ any customer supply deal would result in Red 🐟Bull having to comprise its car design.

"All engine manufacturers ha🔥ve their own team and that means they develop the engine around their chassis,” Marko continued.

"We would get something where we would have to adapt our chassis and our ideas ꦆsecondary, and we wou𓃲ld be confronted with a technical solution that we would have to accept.

"That🥂's why the Honda solution is [o🧸ur favourite]. Nevertheless, we are exploring all possibilities.

"According to the FIA regulations, every engine manufacturer ha🀅s committed itself to supplying other teams. If something like this is to be a possibility for us, then it must fit the overall situation, and it must make us competitive.

"A happy forced marriage is not an issue for us."