Red Bull threatens to leave F1
The 2015 Formula 1 season started off poorly for Red Bull, which is suffering from a lack of power and reliability. This is fueling rumors of a departure from F1, potentially in the form of a sale of the team.
Helmut Marko, one of the executives in charge of motorsport at Red Bull and head of the Red Bull junior driver program, warned the F1 world that the Austrian company could leave Formula 1, stating that the current rules will kill the sport.
In trouble for two seasons after four years marked by success between 2010 and 2013, with four constructors’ titles and four drivers’ titles with Sebastian Vettel, the Milton Keynes team is at the forefront of the protest regarding the hybrid turbo V6 engines and their importance since 2014. So much so that Christian Horner, the team’s director, even asked the FIA this Sunday to act to promote the equalization of hybrid engine performance.
The threat of a withdrawal
On Marko’s side, the statements are less assertive but more threatening: « We will evaluate the situation once again [this summer], as we do every year, and look at the costs and revenues, » he stated to Austrian media present in Melbourne. « If we are completely dissatisfied, we could consider leaving F1. Yes, there is a danger that Mr. Mateschitz [the president of Red Bull, editor’s note] could lose his passion for F1. »
As a reminder, Red Bull, whether it is the parent team or Toro Rosso, is contractually linked to Formula 1 until 2020 according to the latest agreements with Formula One Management.
« These power units are a bad solution for F1, and we would say that even if Renault were leading. The technical rules are not understandable, far too complicated, and too expensive. We are governed by engineers. We also want cost reduction, but it won’t happen like this. A designer like Adrian Newey [who has stepped back from competition] is restrained by this engine formula. These rules will kill the sport, » asserts Helmut Marko.
The rumor of a sale
These statements come in a particular context as rumors continue to circulate about a possible sale of the Red Bull Racing team by Dietrich Mateschitz. This scenario is reportedly being considered by the top management of the energy drink giant, according to private comments made by Bernie Ecclestone.
Asked about this topic by British journalist Adam Cooper, Christian Horner firmly denied these rumors: « You are far off the mark. There have been statements from Dietrich to clarify this, it’s a false debate. » But that was before Helmut Marko’s statements.
Renault in search of another horizon?
Outside of the issue of a sale, several elements need to be considered: first, the declining form of Red Bull, which left Mateschitz unfulfilled last season; next, the departure of the prodigy Sebastian Vettel; and finally, the deterioration of the relationship with Renault after four years of success, which the reorganization imposed by the Austrian structure last season – notably the return of Cyril Abiteboul to the head of Renault Sport – did not really halt.
On the Renault side, at the same time, there is little appreciation for the incessant criticism of its flagship team since early 2013 when, at the same time, the merits of the diamond brand during the four titles have not been sufficiently highlighted, according to Viry-Châtillon (particularly regarding the blown exhaust technology). Hence the prospecting launched a few weeks ago by the French manufacturer, in search of a team that could become the official Renault team.
The Audi/Volkswagen track?
Dietrich Mateschitz, who bought the modest Jaguar team at the end of 2004, is now at the head of an impressive structure, capable of producing single-seaters fighting for victory. However, it appears that in the event of a sale, only a manufacturer could afford Red Bull Racing. And that’s where the Audi rumor comes in. Sources, according to Adam Cooper, indicate that Stefano Domenicali—former director of Scuderia Ferrari and now a consultant for the VW group—has worked on a project to take over the Milton Keynes factory with the goal of fully committing to F1, without just going through a simple partnership. Yet again, Ferdinand Piech, president of the German company, has indicated that this project is not on track.
The difficulties faced by Honda are not reassuring for the brand either. In the event of a separation between Red Bull and Renault, it seems quite unlikely that the Austrian team would turn to Mercedes, already contracted with four teams, Ferrari, with whom relations are not necessarily at their best, or Honda, which may not be a viable option in the short to medium term. The option of an internally manufactured engine is also hardly feasible.
Once this picture is set, Adam Cooper concludes with this sentence: « All this means that the pressure is now truly on Red Bull Racing and particularly on Horner, which helps understand the statements in favor of banning wind tunnels and homogenizing the field. »
