First it was Ferrari stating that they would be happy to provide Red Bull with engines, now it’s Mercedes.
Red Bull Racing’s future in Formula One appears in doubt, they hold a contract with current engine partner Renault until the end of the 2016 Formula One World Championship season but from 2017 onwards it’s completely up in the air what might happen.
Renault are said to be considering options from both ends of the spectrum, they could withdraw from Formula One entirely, or they could return to the sport as a manufacturer.
Talks regarding a buy-out of Toro Rosso and Lotus have both done the rounds, if they were to buy Lotus it would complete a full circle for the Enstone team who once were Renault as recently as 2010.
At the end of 2009, the Renault car company sold a 75% stake in the team to the Genii Capital investment company and by the end of 2010, Renault sold its remaining 25% share to Genii.
The Enstone based team has since changed it’s name to Lotus and switched from Renault power to Mercedes. But there are big rumours in the paddock that this buy-out could take place.
If it was to happen then Red Bull Racing would be left as having to choose between being a customer of Renault, Ferrari, Honda or Mercedes.
Unless they could persuade Audi to get involved in Formula One.
With a door opening for Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff has refused to rule out the possibility and during the British Grand Prix weekend a rumour suggesting a technical and brand partnership with Aston Martin could be the way forward which would then see Mercedes supply Red Bull with engines.
‘There are many, many things to be considered. What happens if Renault decides to have their own team and buy another team? Will they continue to supply Toro Rosso and Red Bull and, if not, what are the solutions?’ Wolff told Sky Sports.
‘Who?s going to supply them in order to make them stay in the sport? What does it mean for us? Until now they were the enemy, maybe there is a new enemy. What does it mean in the great scheme of things in politics and the balance of things?
‘There are no discussions ongoing, nothing has been started. But you need to consider all the options.’
However Aston Martin?s chief executive Andy Palmer appears to be playing down the suggestions when he was asked about the idea of the brand partnership.
He told Sky: ‘The bottom line is that it would be very difficult for us. We as a company don’t have the kind of money to go into Formula 1 and make a decent job of it, Unless I thought we could be challenging Ferrari in some way, shape or form I just wouldn’t contemplate doing it.
‘The best I can tell you is that it’s improbable. I never say never but it’s improbable. I think most of the teams in the pit lane at one moment or other since I’ve been here in the last nine months have approached me in some way, shape or form. Not Ferrari or McLaren, for obvious reasons.’
Mercedes to power Red Bull Racing?
