Red Bull boss Christian Horner said Friday that owner Dietrich Mateschitz has become "disillusioned" with Formula One, but insisted he was fighting to prevent the team from leaving the sport.
The Austrian energy drinks giant has threatened to quit F1 if it cannot secure guarantees of a competitive engine next year after its impending split from Renault, with Ferrari considered the best, and perhaps, only option.
Speaking before this weekend's Japanese Grand Prix, Horner pulled no punches about Red Bull's possible exit.
"Dietrich Mateschitz doesn't talk very often, but when he does, you have to sit up and take notice," he told reporters in Suzuka. "He is disillusioned with F1 at the moment and has been consistent in that statement. It is my job to try to find a solution. - See more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/sports/article/red-bull-owner-disillusioned-with-f1-says-horner#sthash.tX4JDJHM.dpuf
Red Bull Team Principal Christian Horner said Friday that Owner Dietrich
Mateschitz has become "disillusioned" with F1, but insisted that "he
was fighting to prevent the team from leaving the sport," according to the AFP. The Austrian energy drinks giant "threatened to quit F1 if it cannot
secure guarantees of a competitive engine next year after its impending
split from Renault, with Ferrari considered the best, and perhaps, only
option." Horner "pulled no punches about Red Bull's possible exit." He said, "Dietrich Mateschitz doesn't talk very often, but when he does, you
have to sit up and take notice. He is
disillusioned with F1 at the moment and has been consistent in that
statement. It is my job to try to find a solution." A formal announcement of Red Bull's split with engine suppliers Renault "could be made soon, but Horner said talks with the French carmaker were continuing." Horner: "There are some positive discussions going on behind the scenes with Renault. Red Bull's position and Renault's position are fairly clear with what we want to achieve. Hopefully, that should be concluded in the coming days." They "have made a commitment" to F1 CEO Bernie
Ecclestone to race until '20, but Horner "blamed a diminished return on
investment since those glory days for Red Bull's change of heart." He said, "As Bernie Ecclestone often says, circumstances change" (
AFP, 9/25).
