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Uncertainty has morphed back into mystery as Red Bull's engine crisis races beyond the chequered flag in 2015. Amid the Abu Dhabi floodlights, F1 legend Niki Lauda confirmed that he tried to help the energy drink company by initially shaking hands with Dietrich Mateschitz on a Mercedes engine deal.
"The fact that a competitive team like Red Bull cannot find a formula one engine is wrong," he told Welt am Sonntag newspaper. "And the fact that Mercedes doesn't deliver them an engine was not my idea. It is not my competitive mentality, in the idea that to win you have to beat everyone. But there were other opinions," said Lauda. "I accepted that."
What will happen next for Red Bull is actually once again a complete mystery, even though it had seemed clearer that the team would simply press Renault to fulfil an existing contract for 2016. The French carmaker, however, has not even decided if it is staying in F1 at all.
"Wait and see what it (Red Bull's 2016 engine) is called," Red Bull boss Christian Horner said late on Sunday in Abu Dhabi. "It will be something quite good. I don't think (McLaren-Honda supremo) Ron Dennis will be very happy, but he hasn't been very happy recently," Horner told the BBC.
Horner's quip about Dennis is despite the fact that his McLaren counterpart wielded a veto that prevents Honda from supplying a customer engine to Red Bull. "It (the veto) was fully supported by Honda," Dennis said in Abu Dhabi, "but in the end someone had to stand up and say 'This is not going to happen'."
Red Bull's Dr Helmut Marko, however, said in Abu Dhabi: "Honda has made a big commitment financially and building wise. And from what I see they are learning from their mistakes, so I can imagine that we will see a completely different picture of Honda next year," he told F1's official website.
Another theory floating around amid the post-race parties in Abu Dhabi is that it will in fact be Mercedes who jump to Red Bull's rescue if Renault does pull the plug. "Your crystal ball says that?!" Toto Wolff exclaimed to the BBC's Eddie Jordan. "Renault has a contract with Red Bull for next year, and that is what we are all pushing hard for," the Mercedes chief added. (GMM)
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Replies (7)
Login to replykhasmir
Posts: 893
Always funny to see how the truth is coming to light if you give it some time. Lauda firmly denied any handshake deal with Mateschitz in the past.
He knew he messed up since he can't decide those things on his own. I'm pretty sure the Merc-Manor deal is what ruined it for Red Bull. But that could still be a deliberate action from Merc...
But Red Bull - Honda (or whatever the name will be)??? That seems weird, whatever Horner is saying to please Honda, you can't ignore their terrible performance.
However, in the end RB have so many commitments with sponsors for 2016 they will probably take whatever PU they can get. Not being there is simply not an option.
khasmir
Posts: 893
Always funny to see how the truth is coming to light if you give it some time. Lauda firmly denied any handshake deal with Mateschitz in the past.
He knew he messed up since he can't decide those things on his own. I'm pretty sure the Merc-Manor deal is what ruined it for Red Bull. But that could still be a deliberate action from Merc...
khasmir
Posts: 893
Lauda firmly denied any handshake deal with Mateschitz in the past...
He probably knew he messed up since he can't decide those things on his own. I'm pretty sure the Merc-Manor deal is what ruined it for Red Bull. But that could still be a deliberate action from Merc...
khasmir
Posts: 893
But Red Bull - Honda (or whatever the name will be)??? That seems weird, whatever Horner is saying to please Honda, you can't ignore their terrible performance.
However, in the end RB have so many commitments with sponsors for 2016 they will probably take whatever PU they can get. Not being there is simply not an option.
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
I find it extremely ironic that they'd suddenly prey for a Honda engine, when they've mocked it all year and has told everyone "Ferrari, Mercedes or nothing". I'd find it a suitable punishment for them if they have to stick with Renault, would perhaps humble them a bit.
khasmir
Posts: 893
Sorry for double posts, but my reply did not seem to get through. Thought maybe it was too long so I split it up but now it all seems to be there, twice ;)
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
It happens frequently for me. I just wait an hour or so and check back in if it has posted, and that usually does the trick. ;)