All-Acura - F1's new comer, Red Bull, to deal with Honda?

Red Bull Racing is in discussions with Honda about a customer engine deal for 2006, Autosport reports.

The team’s new Austrian owner Dietrich Mateschitz had a dream F1 baptism last weekend when David Coulthard and Christian Klien both scored points finishes in the Australian GP.

Red Bull’s present engine supplier, Cosworth, is believed to have made major gains in the horsepower stakes (perhaps as much as 60bhp) during the off-season.

But the team had to pay upwards of $20 million to the British engine specialist and is understood to be seeking a cheaper alternative for next year, when the current three-litre V10 formula is set to be replaced by 2.4-litre V8s.

It also wants to align itself with a major manufacturer, although the mooted deal with Honda would be purely commercial and would not extend beyond the supply of engines.

It would therefore be of a similar nature to the Jordan/Toyota relationship, but might involve the use of a different brand name such as Honda’s American brand Acura, which would fit Red Bull’s US-oriented marketing focus.

Sources at both Red Bull and Honda were tight-lipped on the subject but hinted that a tie-in is in the works.

“There are two or three manufacturers that have shown interest…but we’re also very happy with the work Cosworth has done so far," said Red Bull sporting director Christian Horner.

“We’re considering our options but I expect a decision to be reached soon. We are trying to secure the best possible future for Red Bull Racing and forging a partnership with an engine manufacturer is definitely the way to go to move closer to the front of the field.”

Honda’s F1 project leader Takeo Kiuchi added: “Some teams are interested in having our engines for next year and I know they have approached our president on this matter.

“Personally I would prefer to concentrate all our efforts [on] the relationship with BAR, but I’m not the one who decides on these matters.

"I can see us supplying a second team next year, in the best interests of the sport and as a means to support the independent teams.”

Of course, supporting the independent teams was one of the commitments made by the manufacturer-led GPWC, which is planning to launch a breakaway championship to rival F1 in 2008, to attempt to lure them away from Bernie Ecclestone’s camp...