2021 rule delay revives threat of Red Bull quitting the sport
- Published on 14 Mar 2019 14:53
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- By: Richard Fletcher
Red Bull team principal Christian Horner says once again that Red Bull boss Dietrich Mateschitz could withdraw from F1 if he does not like how the rule changes proposed for 2021 affect the sport.
The end of the Concorde Agreement in 2020 means that the sport could be in limbo with a lack of clarity and direction. The proposed rule changes for 2021 are also tied into the Concorde Agreement and will need the agreement of the current F1 teams, the FIA and the Formula 1 Group.
Liberty Media has made it clear that the preferential deals that were set up by Bernie Ecclestone including Red Bull, will not be renewed and that all the teams will have to accept a level playing field.
Red Bull does not want to see budget restrictions introduced as they have concerns about where a spending cap would leave them as an independent team without in-house engine suppliers.
Horner said of Mateschitz: "He's passionate about motorsport, he's passionate about F1, he's enthusiastic about the new engine partnership with Honda and the potential that brings. But of course, F1 has to deliver for the Red Bull brand as well.
"It needs to be exciting, it needs to be cost-effective, the racing's got to be great and we need to be able to play on an equal and level playing field with OEM and manufacturer teams."
Horner then added that he thinks that Mateschitz is waiting to see what happens to F1 post-2020. He did temper the comments by saying that Mateschitz is tremendously supportive and has probably invested more into F1 than any other entity.
"Two F1 teams, a Grand Prix (Austria) plus all the promotion that Red Bull does around the world supporting F1, Its enormous. He wouldn't do that if he didn't believe in the sport."
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Replies (12)
Login to replyf1dave
Posts: 782
Not again !
mcbhargav
Posts: 1,332
If Redbull leaves the sport, Honda will snatch up Toro Rosso. Horner joins Liberty, Adrian Newey will get a fancy new offer from Merc., Ferrari and may even be from Renault/Mclaren. The rest of the employees would join Toro Rosso and newer B-teams brought into F1. Transition would be a little bit hard. But, in 2 years most will even forget that, there was a team named Red bull.
Ram Samartha
Posts: 1,172
I wouldn't mind seeing that kind of scenario, especially Newey at Renault.
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
That's a scenario I could bear. In such a situation, I could kinda see Red Bull staying but as a title sponsor. However, if Red Bull leaves, Honda would probably snatch that team, makes little sense to get the worse deal when a better one is available.
mcbhargav
Posts: 1,332
Why I predict Honda would want Toro Rosso over RB? Dr.Hell's over inflated ego would want a Billion bucks for the team that ran most of the 2019 with similar parts like Toro Rosso.
RogerF1
Posts: 501
On the other hand he could drop out of F1 and work full time with Aston Martin making multi million pound cars!
Ram Samartha
Posts: 1,172
It makes them both seem so childish to hear these kinds of remarks again. This would be a major red flag for me if I was Honda. They need to prove themselves this year so they can increase the potential to sign on other teams and not be reliant upon Red Bull. C'mon Christian, he's so heavily invested in F1 that it doesn't make sense for you to be saying this kind of crap. It's a negotiating tactic that is just kind of lame. Take your toys and go home then, who's going to miss your 59 second track anyway? Worst lap in F1 at the moment.
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
As I've said before: Red Bull's management and public face is what hinders me from loving this team. Between the workers on the floor, the cars they deliver to the grid and the things they've done for F1, and now their partnership with Honda to boot, they should in theory be my ideal match. I still like RB, I will cheer for them this year no doubt, but I cannot love them the way I used to love McLaren or the way I love Honda.
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
I kinda find it unlikely, but I don't think it's a baseless threat. With two teams in F1 at once, and a GP, Red Bull exiting could be a severe blow to F1. If they don't like what's coming, they could very well pull out. Unlikely, but they could. Now, as for budget caps: Really, how is it bad for you guys, you cheeky shitters? Merc' and Ferrari (the teams, supply costs are not included in those calculations), have historically spent millions more than you. Imagine getting a cap low enough for you to come out clean, while Ferrari and Merc' would have to cut down on operations. Also, it could reduce costs for STR. The way I see it, there is no real cons for Red Bull here.
Ram Samartha
Posts: 1,172
When my girl doesn't like what's coming she always says to pull out too.
Pistonhead
Posts: 556
Crass again. No further comment needed.
cricho
Posts: 80
RBR team leaders are like whiny spoiled kids. They keep threatening and crying out loud...
They are destroying the RBR team and making F1 sport look bad.
Hope that 1 or 2 more new teams are added to the 2020 calendar...