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As the uncertainty about Red Bull's future in F1 races on, Gerhard Berger suggests the team could be back in the running for Mercedes power. It is believed the Daimler board only recently rejected the matter of leaping to Red Bull's rescue, with the divorce from Renault now just days away.
However, with Red Bull threatening seriously to withdraw both of its teams from the sport, it may be that Bernie Ecclestone has entered the fray.
Berger, historically close to Red Bull, told the German broadcaster Sky: "For me it is quite clear: the person in charge of formula one is required to say 'It cannot be that our best team, that has been world champion four times, must consider being behind the others for a third year only because of the engine'."
Red Bull chiefs Christian Horner and Dr Helmut Marko were spotted entering meetings with Ferrari at Suzuka on Saturday.
But Mercedes may also now be back in the running. "It has been going back and forth," said Berger, who is close to Austrian countryman Dietrich Mateschitz. "I cannot tell where the discussions are at the moment, except that Helmut Marko is the new best friend of Toto Wolff," he smiled.
Berger also rejected the theory that Red Bull is only getting what it deserves, having so stridently lambasted Renault throughout the 'power unit' era.
He said: "Red Bull is a four time world champion and I would say they are still the best team. To now be in a situation where they have to desperately seek a competitive engine is intolerable," Berger added. "And I think it's absolutely right that Red Bull says 'We don't accept any B-engine'."
Grand Prix of Belgium
G. Zhou
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Replies (2)
Login to replycalle.itw
Posts: 8,527
Well, I sort of disagree. Red Bull, depite anything they're saying, is now a normal customer team, and does not stand above e.g Williams in that, and even if they have alot more funds they are not in a position to be picky. You take what you get and is happy with it, or else you do what McLaren did and convince a new supplier to enter. What they are currently doing is basically like entering a gun fight and then blame the opponent(s) for you forgetting your own gun at home.
And honestly, wouldnt a B-engine from either Mercedes or Ferrari be alot nicer than a current A-model Renault PU? In fact with a Merc' B engine and a chassis like the one they currently have they'd be really competitive, Im sure of it.
presic
Posts: 21
I agree that Red Bull with a less powerful engine would do very well regardless. But then again, in any business, if you do not reach for the top, how can you get there? Mateschnitz wants the best and he should be able to get it. Renault has been doing pretty well recently but reliability is the big issue they are behind on. Toro Rosso and Red bull are now both in the top5 of teams consistently and that is only behind the works Mercedes and works Ferrari teams.
But Renault isn't good enough to go for wins consistently. Neither is Honda. And neither is a B-spec Ferrari engine. Mercedes customer engines seem to be the next best thing after the Petronas Works engines. So that is the best choice.
How people negotiate does not really matter. What matters is that four VERY talented drivers stand to loose their drive if the F1 community as a whole does not work together. Mercedes Board decided against helping a competitor. That already shows how good Red Bull is perceived. Do we, the fans, want to loose Red Bull (& Toro Rosso)?
Mateschnitz should buy into F1 ownership and start rigging the rules there. He isn't against competition at all, but it has to be done at par and F1 has been divided in power since the last 3 decennia. Maybe Mateschnitz approach is how it should be: compete on track, not on complicated engines and batteries...