October 9, 2020 – Red Bull will not be able to drive with Mercedes engines from the 2022 Formula 1 season. During the press conference for the Grand Prix of the Eifel, Toto Wolff stated in clear terms that the brand with the star will not supply engines to the energy drinks giant. Ferrari has not yet taken a position.
After the announced farewell to Honda, Red Bull has to look for a different solution for the period after the F1 season 2021. Mercedes seems to be a dream solution from Red Bull’s perspective, but that party is canceled. As in the past, the Stuttgart brand does not want to deliver this time either. “No”, Wolff responds firmly to the question Motorsport.com whether Mercedes will help Red Bull out of the fire.
Confidence in Red Bull’s own solution
“There are several reasons for this, the most important of which is that we already supply four teams – including our own factory team – with engines. We are already almost in a situation where we cannot make enough power sources for all teams. to do something extra, “explains the Austrian team boss. However, he is not worried about the F1 future of Red Bull. “I’m sure Helmut Marko has a plan B. He may not even depend on the current F1 engine suppliers for that.”
Renault front man Cyril Abiteboul has a similar idea. “As Toto pointed out, I can’t imagine that Red Bull has no other plan A or even a plan B. And I think we are very far back in the alphabet at Red Bull,” he points out with a smile on the divorce. 2018. There has not yet been contact about a new marriage, despite the fact that Renault will be screwed if Red Bull cannot find another solution – then Renault must supply engines according to the sporting regulations. “I can confirm that I have not yet had contact with Red Bull when it comes to a motorcycle deal after 2021. But everyone can read what is in the sporting regulations.”
Ferrari has not yet made a decision
Only the third and last engine supplier after the departure of Honda remains: what is the formal position of Ferrari, is the Maranello brand open to a collaboration with Red Bull? “We have not yet taken a decision on that, we now have to determine our position. It is up to Red Bull to clarify what they want. In terms of timing it is a bit unfortunate, there is little time. Towards 2022 we will need a lot of time to get everything on track, “Binotto points out to the prancing horse’s own problems. “The news from Honda also came unexpectedly, so we now have to think about something that was not even discussed a few days ago.
VIDEO: A closer look at Honda’s upcoming F1 departure
In collaboration with Luke Smith
