Franchise Notes: Red Bull Adviser Says Team Will Stay In F1 Next Season

Red Bull motorsport adviser Helmut Marko said that the team plans to stay in Formula 1 next season. Marko said that '16 "would be a rebuilding year for the four-time champion team" and confirmed that both Red Bull and its sister team Toro Rosso will "be on the grid." Marko: "Both Red Bull Racing and Toro Rosso will be on the grid next year. We have an engine partner, but we haven’t finalized everything yet" (AFP, 11/14). ... A group of travelling supporters had their flags confiscated by Spanish authorities after England's defeat to Spain and were told it carried a "racist symbol" -- the "crossed irons" of EPL side West Ham. Chris Lipman and Ryan Willsmer "were left with no explanation after their flag and four other bearing West Ham's symbol were all removed." The two were told that if they claimed ownership of any of the flags they would face a £3,000 ($4,600) fine for "displaying a political or racist banner at the game and that the flag would still not be returned to them" (London INDEPENDENT, 11/15).