Ecclestone could sue Red Bull if they leave F1

  • Published on 20 Oct 2015 11:25
  • comments 0
  • By: Kees Schooneman

 Red Bull's rivals, and even F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone, have admitted their sympathy for the former champions is low amid the engine supply crisis.

Having terminated the deal with Renault prematurely, the energy drink company is saying it will pull both of its teams out of the sport if manufacturers Mercedes or Ferrari do not bail them out.


However, Red Bull committed contractually to stay in F1 until at least 2020, resulting in extra payments and places on the F1 board and rule-making strategy group.

So if they do go, Ecclestone says he could sue.

"Red Bull would stand up in court and say 'Yes, we have a commitment, but we haven't got an engine'," the almost 85-year-old told the Independent newspaper.

"My argument would be 'You signed the contract to compete. You should have made sure when you signed the contract that you had an engine'," Ecclestone was quoted by F1 business journalist Christian Sylt.

Indeed, while it is Renault's performance that might have precipitated the split, it is Red Bull's months and years of carping that burned the bridges of a potential reconciliation.

Red Bull's relationship with rival teams is also strained.

"We have had a long history with them because we got them into the sport and had 10 years cooperation," Sauber team boss Monisha Kaltenborn told British television Sky.

"But if you look at the last few years, they have really been getting away with so much, which is not in agreement with the others.

"They have changed a lot, maybe success has made them change that much, but I would say communication is not that high," she added.

"To answer the question, they have to live with what they get now. We've done that for so many years so why can't they now?" said Kaltenborn.

Williams' technical boss Pat Symonds commented: "I pretty much agree.

"It is a difficult situation for them and maybe they haven't handled it as well as they might have done and I'm sure that is what is antagonising some fans," he said.

"I remember my father used to say 'When you lose say nothing and when you win say even less', and maybe that is a motto we should all abide by."

Replies (0)

Login to reply

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

BEGrand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

World Championship standings 2024

Show full world champion standings

Test calendar

See full test schedule

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
29 - Mar 2 2024
Bahrain
7 - Mar 9 2024
Saudi Arabia
22 - Mar 24 2024
Australia
5 - Apr 7 2024
Japan
19 - Apr 21 2024
China
3 - May 5 2024
United States of America
17 - May 19 2024
Italy
24 - May 26 2024
Monaco
7 - Jun 9 2024
Canada
21 - Jun 23 2024
Spain
28 - Jun 30 2024
Austria
5 - Jul 7 2024
United Kingdom
19 - Jul 21 2024
Hungary
26 - Jul 28 2024
Belgium
23 - Aug 25 2024
Netherlands
30 - Sep 1 2024
Italy
13 - Sep 15 2024
Azerbaijan
20 - Sep 22 2024
Singapore
18 - Oct 20 2024
United States of America
25 - Oct 27 2024
Mexico
1 - Nov 3 2024
Brazil
22 - Nov 24 2024
United States of America
29 - Dec 1 2024
Qatar
6 - Dec 8 2024
United Arab Emirates
-
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
29 - Mar 2 2024
7 - Mar 9 2024
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
22 - Mar 24 2024
Australia Albert Park
5 - Apr 7 2024
19 - Apr 21 2024
3 - May 5 2024
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
17 - May 19 2024
24 - May 26 2024
Monaco Monte Carlo
7 - Jun 9 2024
21 - Jun 23 2024
28 - Jun 30 2024
Austria Red Bull Ring
5 - Jul 7 2024
United Kingdom Silverstone
19 - Jul 21 2024
Hungary Hungaroring
26 - Jul 28 2024
23 - Aug 25 2024
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
30 - Sep 1 2024
Italy Monza
13 - Sep 15 2024
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
20 - Sep 22 2024
18 - Oct 20 2024
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
25 - Oct 27 2024
1 - Nov 3 2024
Brazil Interlagos
22 - Nov 24 2024
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
29 - Dec 1 2024
6 - Dec 8 2024
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
-
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar