Red Bull once again threaten to leave Formula 1
- Published on 01 Jun 2017 17:12
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- By: Fergal Walsh
Red Bull has once again threatened to leave Formula 1 if the regulations on engines do not change. Dr Helmut Marko, who leads the driver development programme at the team says that the current regulations are not suited to energy drink team and they will leave if they have to.
The manufacturer that once won four consecutive world championships has struggled since the introduction of the V6 Hybrid engines in 2014. They've won the five times since then, four victories for Daniel Ricciardo and one for Max Verstappen.
"If the engine regulations do not change, we leave Formula 1," said Marko. "We settle at a deal of €20 million annually, and the engine is still nonsense? Even an update to the fuel cost two million."
Marko said that a convenient solution is to have a sole engine manufacturer in Formula 1: "It would be financially feasible for an independent party such as Cosworth or Ilmor to build an engine that retails for everyone. Regardless of whether we are Sauber or Toro Rosso."
The sound that the engines make has also stirred up the brimming pot of issues with the power units bring, with Marko saying this also needs to be rectified: "Because people want powerful engines that make noise, they want to see the drivers as heroes rather than engineers claiming the lead for himself."
In a recent meeting, Ross Brawn has said that the new engine rules that are set to be introduced beyond 2020 will be less expensive and produce a sound that is much more welcoming to the fans, which could indicate that the MGU-H will be abolished in the next set of regulations.
Fergal Walsh
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Replies (15)
Login to replyPeteTirtle
Posts: 16
Let them go, I'm sick of the whining. Can you see Ferrari or Mercedes accepting a single engine supplier?
f1dave
Posts: 782
"Red Bull gives you wings". . . try using them to fly out of F1. These threats surely don't help their brand.
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
Renault proved as recently as last year that good things come to those who can wait. That upgrade they implemented last year was what brought Red Bull up to a competitive level. Lets see what the next Renault upgrade can bring to the table. Late or not, it could be vital for them.
I will repeat what I said earlier: I dont think this is a serious threat as much as it is a means to get their way. You can read that clearly from that statement: change the rules, or else. That aside, how about doing what Ferrari did instead of issuing threats: learn your lessons and learn them well, and if this season doesnt work out, try the next one. They cannot blame it all on just a lack of power this season, their chassis has no doubt been inferior compared to the teams they want to compete with.
f1fan0101
Posts: 1,804
While I think its very silly of Marko to threaten to quit and act like a child, he is right - the engines are too expensive. Can we really wait until 2021?
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
I think we can. We should at least wait 2 more seasons and evaluate if the costs and efficiency with these units will be worth it. A possible problem with switching engine regulation is that costs could go up again for the first seasons, its not cheap to develop new engines for new regulations.
At any rate, cost reduction should be a priority.
Carman
Posts: 11
Whine, whine, whine, oh is that a gearbox on the way out, or an engine maybe, no of course not it's the perpetual whine of Red Bull. Go for goodness sakes or man up and sort your problems out, this is exactly why Merc nor Ferrari want to supply them with an engine.
ajpennypacker
Posts: 2,475
At least when Ferrari act similarly despicably they cling unto their significance to the sport (which is objectively measurable). Red Bull is a marketing corporation at it's core. I wouldn't even call it a fizzy drink company. If they sold the team to Aston Martin, Toyota, or VW, I don't think anyone would feel the sport lost anything. Some might feel it was a gain (including me).
ZUKMAN
Posts: 40
Ferrari could buy TR since they won't have Sauber anymore. That leaves us with 18 that.s not ideal but still better than 3rd cars from Ferrari and McLaren. But who would buy Red Buel.
f1fan0101
Posts: 1,804
Volkswagen
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
An interesting thought, but Ferrari already have Haas, a de facto Ferrari B-team. They share PUs and many car components.
I'd love to see Ford, Toyota or VW back in F1.
boudy
Posts: 1,168
I believe that they (RB) have a point in some respect, since al other engine providers (Ferrari, Mercedes and Honda) did not want to provide them with a competitive solution. Their only way out for RB would be if another provider would come in or their is some independent engine that other teams can rely on. The current situation is not healthy for F1 in the long run.
Bhurt
Posts: 320
The interesting part is that Red Bull have completely dropped the ball on aero this season. The gap to the front runners is in large part due to their own shortcomings. Whining about engines at this point is just trying to draw attention away from the fact their car is, by their standards, rubbish.
mcbhargav
Posts: 1,332
Every other team would love to fight for Max, Ricciardo, Sainz.
We'll Spin
Posts: 1
F1 takes itself far too seriously and has become a tedious circus and collection of moaners. If you think back to the early days where McLaren, Williams, March, Brabham, were small engineering companies turning out a basic chassis/frame with an aluminium skin clad around it, massive tyres and a Ford DVF engine to push it round. After that it was down to which driver had the biggest cahooners to drive it quickly. Modern F1 is too regulated and far too technical. Mid season testing should also be allowed, small teams need upgrades to compete. The Ginetta Junior cup is more entertaining than F1.
andyman
Posts: 1
please go and never return Crap team Crap owners Bad sportsman all around
remember to take Max Verstappen with you and Horner