Interesting! By doesn't accept it, presumably there's a performance based clause that Renault think they've hit, and Red Bull disagree? And who else wants to provide them with engines?
Red Bull F1 team considers early Renault split, Mercedes an option Red Bull is considering terminating its contract with engine supplier Renault at the end of the 2015 Formula 1 season, AUTOSPORT has learned. Tensions between Red Bull and Renault, who have a deal through 2016, have increased as the French manufacturer struggles with performance and reliability. It is believed there are performances clauses in the contract and AUTOSPORT understands Red Bull is strongly considering activating these. Red Bull boss Christian Horner told AUTOSPORT: "We can't afford to have another season like this season. "There is still a long way to go in this season, we're very working hard to turn it around. "But it is very damaging and very expensive when you get into this scenario. "We have put an awful lot of funding into the engine, we paid for the engine - it's not a free engine. "When you're using a customer product, that's when frustration sometimes boils over." RENAULT WORKS TEAM PLANS A FACTOR Another factor in the situation is the prospect of Renault again becoming a works team. AUTOSPORT understands buyout talks are at an advanced stage between Renault and Lotus, with the possibility a deal could be confirmed by the end of the month. "We have an agreement until 2016 and it's important to understand what Renault's plans are," said Horner. "Then we can react accordingly. "We want to see what Renault's commitment is in the long term regarding Formula 1." It would leave Red Bull requiring a new engine partner, with Mercedes strongly mooted as the likely candidate. Modern design techniques are such that lead times are shortening and any decision on the engine supply could be delayed until November. When asked if it would be easy to adapt the concept for next year's car to a different engine, Horner said: "Nothing is ever impossible. "Look at what Ross Brawn did [with the 2009 title-winning Brawn GP], he didn't find out what engine he'd got in 2009 until December. "Where there is a will, there's always a way." MERCEDES 'WILL NOT INTERFERE' Mercedes motorsport boss Toto Wolff, however, has made clear he will not interfere in the relationship between Red Bull and Renault. Should the possibility of a partnership arise, Wolff has told AUTOSPORT many factors would have be considered before talks could even commence. "We are aware, and been made aware by all parties, there is an existing contractual relationship between Red Bull and Renault and we are not going to interfere in that," said Wolff. "So that is being sorted out between those two anyway, and it's none of our concern they should do that. "If you look at it from Mercedes' perspective it is probably the wrong thing to do to supply an engine to a fifth customer as it would put stress on the organisation. "Additionally, supplying one of your championship contenders with big resources, it needs to be carefully judged and balanced as to whether we would want to do that. "But then from a global perspective Red Bull is a really phenomenal brand which attracts younger audiences and consumers. "Therefore you cannot wipe it off the table and say 'From the team's perspective it doesn't make any sense, so we are not looking at it'. "No, you carefully analyse the pros and cons, and then obviously make a decision. "We haven't reached that phase yet because the opportunity doesn't exist at the moment because of the relationship between Red Bull and Renault, which we honour." The Mercedes executive management board is believed to be split regarding a tie-up, while it is understood Williams has a premium customer contract with Mercedes, which could impact any deal with Red Bull.
What happens to lotus's Mercedes deal. Is this being planned to swap with red bull? I thought it was a long term deal they had with merc. Also what happens with STR? Are they going to stick with Renault or swap too? A lot of this doesn't add up
Well if Renault buy Lotus, they'll certainly change engines, which would free up a Mercedes engine. It seems pretty dangerous for Mercedes to supply red bull though.
The messiah has chipped in, please log in to view this image Andrew Benson Chief F1 writer at Spa “One of the topics of conversation that has dominated this weekend is the future of Red Bull and Renault in F1. The only certainty is that the situation between the two partners - who won the last of their eight title together only 21 months ago - is getting very messy. “Red Bull have issued Renault with a notice of termination of their contract, on the grounds of performances clauses. Renault have told them they don’t accept their view. Neither will comment on that situation. Beyond that, it all gets unclear. "Mercedes have said they would not consider entering talks with Red Bull while they have a contract with Renault. So Red Bull appear to be trying to force the situation to create the possibility of a Mercedes deal next year. “But it’s a high-risk strategy, because Red Bull appear to have no other engine lined up. Bernie Ecclestone is pressuring Mercedes to supply Red Bull, but the world champions are extremely reluctant to do so, not least because of Red Bull’s reputation as a difficult partner for an engine supplier. Renault, meanwhile, are still vacillating over whether to buy Lotus, whose future is looking uncertain because of ongoing financial problems.”
Bloody hell Red Bull , having a tough time and toys out of pram . Who supplied you with the engines in the Glory Years !!! They can **** off as far as I'm concerned .
Whilst it is a danger, Adrian Newey begins to fully step aside, and ultimately the are just a customer, so I just feel they won't quite be optimised like the works team.
This weeks gossip seems to be suggesting that Manor are looking to get a Mercedes engine next season. It'll come with a complimentary Pascal Wehrlein as well for their troubles.
I wonder how much of that is Mercedes trying to tie up Manor by offering a favourable deal. The more teams they supply, the harder it is for Bernie to strongarm them into supplying Red Bull.
They were offered one of these, but apparently they're more expensive than the current turbo units to buy and the chassis was beyond Manor's technical abilities to produce.......
We're in the catch 22 stage at the moment. 2017 is where things will hot up. Hamilton and Rosberg unwilling to jump out their Merc team for obvious reasons barring a monumental fallout, but with Lewis comfortably beating Nico at the moment things need to change quickly for that to happen. Alonso therefore has no option but sticking the Honda project through or quitting the sport, Ferrari cant get Ricciardo yet and Verstappen is also to raw for a move. Come 2017 I think Ricciardo will be up for grabs, Renault will have a works team and will have improved to become a good option for someone, one of Lewis or Nico might go and look for a new challenge, Raikkonen will have gone, Button sadly will have gone, Verstappen will be more experienced, and Red Bull will be looking for a driver. I actually think Lewis Hamilton will return for McLaren Honda one day- ironically I bet when Alonso leaves in frustration he'll waltz in just when they sort the car out! But genuinely, I do think there will be an attraction for Lewis to drive the McLaren Honda name in 3-4 years maybe.
Did anyone think that Hulkenbergs delight at signing on with Force India has something to do with the fact that Renault might make them their works team, or is that a long shot? He isnt going to win anything in a Force India Mercedes is he. so you may as well be a Renault works team and trust them to find the solution.
