Red Bull owner Dietrich Mateschitz has dismissed the latest wild rumour doing the rounds, which suggests that Renault’s takeover of Lotus has been put on hold as it looks to instead buy the Red Bull outfit.
Renault and Red Bull have enjoyed great success together, winning four Constructors’ and Drivers’ championships in a row. However their relationship turned sour when the new hybrid-turbo V6 engine rules were introduced and Renault’s power unit failed to match its rivals.
That led to the two companies divorcing, but with Ferrari, Mercedes and Honda all refusing to take Renault’s place, it has left Red Bull in a difficult position.
It was therefore suggested the reason Renault’s takeover of the Lotus team has gone quiet, is because the French manufacturer is instead negotiating a takeover of Red Bull, a deal that would guarantee it early success, unlike with Lotus.
But the thought of such an idea has been branded “totally unthinkable” by Mateschitz, when it was put to him by the Red Bull owned SpeedWeek publication.
Meanwhile, the billionaire has also ruled out a reunion with Renault. Many believed the team would continue with Renault power for one season, before switching to F1’s new independent engine, championed by Bernie Ecclestone and FIA president Jean Todt.
“We have cancelled the contract,” he said, adding: “We cannot get access to a competitive engine. The works teams are afraid we would be faster than them.”
With all roads seemingly pointing toward Red Bull’s exit from F1, Mateschitz has at least given team principal Christian Horner another “two or three weeks” to find an alternative supplier.
