'Mateschitz and de Meo might work out an engine deal'
F1 News
- GPblog.com
Earlier it became clear that Red Bull Racing have spoken to Renault in an exploratory talk about power sources for 2022. Honda will leave Formula 1 at the end of next year, so the team of Alexander Albon and Max Verstappen will have to look for a new supplier. There were not many details about the conversation between the two parties, but Cyril Abiteboul has now discussed this in more detail with Motorsport.com.
Decision not in his hand
Logically, the discussions are being watched with great interest because the relationship between Red Bull Racing and Renault has not been very good in recent years. It even led to a separation, but now Red Bull has to consider all options. Nevertheless, the decision to possibly work with Renault doesn't stem directly from Abiteboul, Marko or Horner. That is even higher.
Abiteboul would have indicated that the discussion might be decided by Luca de Meo, the new Renault CEO, and Dietrich Mateschitz, owner of Red Bull, Motorsport writes. In any case, Renault is the most valid option at the moment, as the manufacturer is also 'obliged' by law to provide Red Bull Racing with power sources. Unless another way is found.
High-level conversations
"If you're asking about the level of the discussion, I think Helmut has always been my point of contact for these discussions. So I would expect that he remains so. Having said that you are right, Dietrich Mateschitz knows Luca de Meo. So maybe there will be some discussion going on there." In so doing, Abiteboul insinuates that there may still be a good deal to be struck because the top people know each other, which may help in a business relationship.
However, nothing is certain at the moment, because the news is still fresh and everyone has plenty of time. Also, despite the exploratory talks, Abiteboul does not yet seem to have a clear position from Red Bull Racing. "There is no such discussion at this point in time. I think first Red Bull is still in the aftershock of Honda's announcement, which may or may not have been news to some persons in Red Bull, it's not clear to me."
"But anyway I think they are still trying to take stock and understand the options. And when comes the time, I guess they will look at what the regulations allow them to do", said the team boss of Renault.