Mateschitz not ruling out carmaker deal

The Austrian millionaire, however, has said that having support from a carmaker will not be vital to succeed in Formula One once the rules are revised.

"A cooperation with a manufacturer would help for sure," said Mateschitz. "But I think that the engines will become of lesser importance in the years of 2008 and so forth, since the rules are about to change.

"As a team we should be interesting for all manufacturers, I would not only speak about Volkswagen or Audi. We have a certain level of performance, we have the long term plans, we have the budget, we have young drivers, I think we are rather attractive.

"If we are open for discussions that does not mean however that we are applicants. We have much to offer."

The FIA is planning to introduce drastic cost-cutting measures from 2008, including a five-year freeze on engine development.

"The costs for engine development will shrink dramatically," Mateschitz said. "We will get to a point when the engine will account for only ten percent of the budget. So in the end it will not be important if you get it for free or if you have to buy it.

"It will no longer be an imperative to have a car manufacturer as partner. But still such a partnership makes much sense. If we are offered a deal, fine, if we are not offered a deal, fine as well."