Red Bull future shaky as VW deal “goes up in smoke”

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It was only a week ago that we got wind of a potential buy-out deal between Volkswagen and the Red Bull Formula One team, but now it seems all of that conjecture has “gone up in smoke.” When asked if one could assume that after VW’s recent diesel-related fiasco that the F1 deal could be off, Red Bull team principal, Christian Horner, simply told NBC Sports, “that seemed to go up in smoke.”

“Of course it’s not an ideal situation,” Horner said. “I’m working hard to try and find a solution, and hopefully there will be a solution in the coming weeks but it’s quite simple. If we don’t get an engine, we can’t push the car,” he added.

Red Bull owner Dietrich Mateschitz has been in the news recently, questioning the team’s F1 future. “Dietrich Mateschitz doesn’t tend to make idle threats so when he does talk, you have to listen to what he says,” Horner added.

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He went on to say “other activities have been stopped at very short notice whether it’s NASCAR or Red Bull Air Race. F1 has to fulfill a purpose, and if it doesn’t fulfill that purpose within the group, then serious questions will be asked.”

Horner told the news portal that much of the blame has been laid upon its current engine supplier Renault. “I think what you have to understand with Red Bull is that having paid for an engine with Renault throughout our relationship, as a paying customer, it’s unacceptable to get a product as inferior as we’ve received,” he said.

“Therefore, with the way that the regulations are, unless you have a Mercedes or a Ferrari power unit, it’s quite simply impossible to compete. If we’re not able to compete, then you have to question what is the validity of remaining in F1,” he concluded.

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Anil Prabha

Anil Prabha has always been a petrol head. He also has a strange knack for remembering car models and their respective registration plates. Naturally aspirated engines are always better than turbocharged or supercharged ones, in his opinion. Ultimately, he believes that there is nothing better in life than just going for a drive.

 

Comments

  • The Archbishop of Banterbury on Sep 28, 2015 at 3:32 pm

    it’s pointless for VW to buy Red Bull. VW already have Audi & Porsche in WEC. Red Bull should quit F1 for WEC as well

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 1
    • Adui & Posh are carmakers, Red Bull does not make on the road cars

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 3
    • VW also dominates WRC… Who knows they want to dominate in all championships

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 1
    • olio benzina on Sep 28, 2015 at 5:44 pm

      Mercedes bought Brawn who bought Honda who bought BAR.
      It makes good sense to buy a running F1 team no mattter how large your resources and hiw well your racing dept is doing in other formulas.
      VW probably learned from Toyota which has a compettive racing department but crashed and burned at F1 when they jumped off the deep end.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • gaviny on Sep 28, 2015 at 11:11 pm

    that renault engine breathing and exhaust is art

    look at the intake, intercooler piping and intake manifold to the engine

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • azrai on Sep 29, 2015 at 8:35 am

    Hello Dietrich Mateschitz. You can make a courtesy call to Dr. M. He got 1.6 turbo engine from Proton for red bull team. It is known as Campro. Make the call today.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
 

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