Red Bull Team Principal Christian Horner said that "the team's engine uncertainty has now reached a 'critical' point with the program for their 2016 car already behind schedule," according to the Sydney DAILY TELEGRAPH. Engine politics "continue to dominate the off-track agenda in F1 with Red Bull's impending divorce from Renault, and their ongoing wait to secure an alternative supply, putting the former world champions' future in the sport on the line." Red Bull Owner Dietrich Mateschitz has made clear that "he will pull his two teams out of F1 if they cannot source a deal for a competitive engine, with Ferrari now appearing to be their only hope after talks with Mercedes collapsed." However, Horner "refused to deny that Ferrari had so far only offered Red Bull a 2015 version of their engine for next season." Horner: "The current situation is quite critical because as we sit here we don't have an engine" (DAILY TELEGRAPH, 9/29). AUTOSPORT reported Horner said that Toro Rosso's situation in F1 "is more critical than Red Bull's right now." Horner: "The timing for them is more critical than Red Bull Racing even. It's a slightly different situation for Toro Rosso. The important thing for us is to have a first class engine -- we'd be in a position where we can't compete [without one]." When asked if there was a deadline to get a deal sorted to ensure the build of '16's car was not severely affected, Horner said, "It was already difficult two weeks ago. We are late, very late" (EUROSPORT, 9/29).
