Red Bull-Renault: divorce soon?

The Austrian Grand Prix hardly improved relations between Red Bull and its engine supplier Renault: both Daniel Ricciardo and Daniil Kvyat received ten-place penalties each for using a new power unit. On the grounds of the Red Bull Ring, this obviously sounds like yet another false note for the engine manufacturer from Viry-Châtillon.

The relationship between the Austrian team and the French supplier seems to have reached a point of no return this weekend. Dietrich Mateschitz, interviewed by Speedweek, indeed had extremely aggressive remarks towards Renault: « In addition to taking our time and money, Renault has destroyed our enjoyment and motivation—because no driver and no chassis in this world can compensate for an engine power deficit. Furthermore, our chances are so undermined by the aerodynamic regulations that our chief designer, Adrian Newey, cannot work his magic on the front wings ».

What to do then for Red Bull? Too modestly in fourth place in the World Constructors’ Championship, the four-time world champion team cannot long be content with playing second fiddle in Formula 1. Persistent rumors, from Sport Bild, and confirmed by Helmut Marko in the paddock in Austria this Friday, report contact between Red Bull and Ferrari for an engine supply in the coming years.

However, this perspective is far from exciting Dietrich Mateschitz: « With a customer engine, you have no chance of winning the world championship (…) because you also lose an aerodynamic advantage. Then, we will have lost all the fun and we will just be there to make up the numbers. »

Another solution, much more radical and definitive, would be to see Red Bull leave F1. Yet, the team committed to staying in the discipline until 2020. Such legal problems do not yet worry Dietrich Mateschitz: « Of course, there are contracts for participation in Formula 1. But how many teams have left Formula 1, despite existing contracts? You cannot keep someone against their will. »