FROM AUTOSPORT: Red Bull Racing team principal Christian Horner is in no rush to extend the team's race-winning partnership with Renault into 2010, as it weighs up an engine deal with Mercedes for next season. Despite claiming a 1-2 victory in the Chinese Grand Prix, this week's AUTOSPORT magazine exclusively reveals that the team is understood to be well down the line in negotiations with Mercedes, despite not having ruled out continuing with Renault. "It's way too early to be talking about engines for next year," Horner told AUTOSPORT. "Hopefully Renault will still be around. The engine is performing well and, having been permitted the equalisation adjustments at the end of last year, I think it is comparable with the other engines in F1. "You've probably still got Mercedes as the strongest engine, but I don't think the Renault gives anything away to its rivals." Mercedes has ruled out supplying more than three teams with engines, and with a firm commitment to both works team McLaren and Force India, Red Bull would have to replace Brawn GP as the German manufacturer's second customer. Horner added that there is no rush to finalise its engine supplier, as it is possible to modify a car design for an alternative engine at relatively short notice. "As Ross Brawn has proved, you can change engines at the last minute - they're such simplistic blocks these days," said Horner. For an in-depth analysis of why Red Bull Racing is keen on Mercedes engines, read AUTOSPORT magazine (out on Thursday).
Wouldn't be surprised if Renault dropped out. Carlos has never been a big fan of the F1 operation, and probably less so after the last couple seasons and this one. Interesting note about MB not wanting to supply more than three teams. Wonder if they'll really end up choosing one between BGP and RB.
I have a feeling this is more like the 5th hint. Ghosn has made no secret of his feelings that the F1 side must produce or it will be axed the same way any other division of a company would be. Flavio does tend to have little hissy fits from time to time, but I have the feeling that his latest one over the diffusers was more intense than usual. I think it's either because Bernie has his ear, and wants his support to drive a wedge into the FOTA, or because he is under immense pressure from his boss to provide results for a reduced influx of cash. Renault is in a very difficult sponsorship position next year, and Alonso is outta there, and they aren't performing well at all, considering it was not long ago they were unbeatable and winning WDC's and WCC's back to back. Now on top of all that, he has to spend more $$$ to be more competitive with the other teams. That is a recipe that would push a stressed man to the brink of a meltdown, which is where I think he is.
interesting how well MB has turned things around since just a few years ago they were blowing engines every race
Wait a sec.......... He wants to drag his heels on an engine deal for NEXT year - theoretically about 9 months away - but teams are saying it will take a years' development to get a diffuser to work properly, but an engine you simply plug in and go ?
They can thank those limits on revs for that. Now they have more $ to invest in those exciting diffusers...I def see renault checking out after this year also.....alonso to ferrari, piquet driving limos but what will flabio do?
