Grapevine: Mateschitz Rejects Berger Rumours

Within hours of Red Bull's takeover of the Minardi team being announced in Spa last weekend, paddock speculation suggested that Berger was a shoe-in to take over the running of the new team.

Berger is a good friend of Mateschitz's and has been linked with a return to Formula One team management ever since he left his position as a BMW motorsport director at the end of 2003.

But Mateschitz has insisted that Berger does not figure in his plans at the moment - and believes that his fellow Austrian is too busy to make the necessary commitment required to run an F1 team.

"As far as I know, Gerhard is an entrepreneur in the transportation business and has a full-time job, not to mention a nice big family," Mateschitz said in an interview with Motorsport Aktuell.

Mateschitz added that no decisions have been made yet about any of the key players at the team next year - which possibly leaves the door open for Berger to get involved in the future.

And although there is speculation that the team have decided that Scott Speed and Christian Klien will drive for the junior team, Mateschitz claims their options are still open.

"Basically we are speaking here for an opportunity for drivers such as Scott Speed, Tonio Liuzzi and Neel Jani. We have quite a number of talented guys. But all the management and also the driver side is still not decided."

The other issue that has also not been decided on, is the name of the new team.

"That is still in discussion," Mateschitz said. "Perhaps we will call it Red Bull Rookie."