Renault 'destroying' Red Bull's F1 enjoyment - Dietrich Mateschitz
Red Bull owner Dietrich Mateschitz says engine supplier Renault's poor performance has "destroyed" the team's enjoyment of Formula 1
The partners have clashed several times this season, with Red Bull publicly voicing its disapproval with the French manufacturer as the engine has been unreliable and underpowered and Renault arguing that Red Bull's behaviour is damaging.
A series of engine failures have left both Daniel Ricciardo and Daniil Kvyat on the fourth and final engines of their allocation, making penalties inevitable.
The four-time world champion team is fourth in the constructors' championship, 231 points behind leader Mercedes after seven races with a best finish of fourth.
"Beside taking our time and money they have destroyed our enjoyment and motivation - because no driver and no chassis in this world can compensate for this horsepower deficit," Mateschitz told Speedweek.
"In addition, our chances were so scuppered by aerodynamic regulations which meant that chief designer Adrian Newey could not weave his magic on front wings.
"Now we have used our fourth engine, which means we are penalised on the grid.
"How many more things have to happen before we lose all enjoyment?"
Mateschitz added "there is no alternative to Renault" in 2016 should Red Bull want to end its contract with the French manufacturer one year early.
The Red Bull boss also hinted that the team may leave before its contract to compete in F1, which runs until 2020, expires.
"Sure, there are contracts for Formula 1 participation," he said.
"How many teams have dropped out of Formula 1, despite already contracts? You cannot hold someone if he wants to get out."
Should Renault leave the sport at the end of its contract - or indeed earlier - Red Bull would have to become a customer unless it could entice a new manufacturer into F1.
On the prospect of using a customer engine, Mateschitz said: "You get an engine which is good enough to score points but it will never be good enough to beat the works team.
"With a customer engine, you have no world championship chance, you will never become world champion.
"If we realise it, we have no chance of a world title because you have also lost an aerodynamic advantage.
"Then we lose all pleasure and we are bit-part players."
Be part of the Autosport community
Join the conversationShare Or Save This Story
Vettel: Last Ferrari step back to winning F1 titles will be hardest
Revealed: What F1 teams really spent in 2017
Aftermath of Hamilton Baku clash Vettel's 'worst feeling' of 2017
What could have been: When Villeneuve’s shock return thwarted an F1 rookie
Friday favourite: Renault's original F1 title-winner that began the Alonso era
Why Renault's survivor wasn't part of Alpine's plans
Antonelli completes maiden Mercedes F1 test
The story behind Shanghai's "painted" F1 track surprise
How the F1 driver market situation sits for each team with 2025 openings
Ricciardo brushes off F1 future worries, new chassis brings "peace of mind"
How the F1 driver market situation sits for each team with 2025 openings
What's been going wrong for Leclerc in F1's tiny margins qualifying game
What the Chinese GP's highlights reveal about its first F1 race for five years
The secrets of F1 turbocharging explained
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
Top Comments