Aston Martin in F1 talks with Red Bull over Mercedes engine deal
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| Lauda would never supply Mercedes engines to Red Bull, they are too good a team |
This rumor is downgraded to 'false' today. Niki Lauda has denied suggestions that Aston Martin could help Red Bull Racing secure a Mercedes engine supply for 2016.
Historically Red Bull and Mercedes have not worked together, and hitherto any kind of relationship looked impossible. However, reports have suggested that Aston – which is five percent owned by Mercedes – could broker a deal.
Aston CEO Andy Palmer and director of marketing and communications Simon Sproule were previously involved in Infiniti's sponsorship of RBR, and Palmer also contributed to road car co-operation deal between Renault/Nissan and Mercedes. There is also an engine and software supply relationship between Aston and Mercedes, while there are close links between David Richards and Christian Horner.
“There's not even a discussion," said Lauda. “No discussion at all. I haven't heard anything from them and we never talked about it. I have breakfast every morning with Helmut [Marko] so I should know.
“We never thought about it because we have four teams running our engines, so we don't even have capacity."
Meanwhile Lauda acknowledged that there was personal animosity between Red Bull boss Dietrich Mateschitz and Mercedes that made any cooperation unlikely.
“It starts with Mateschitz, Mateschitz had, for whatever reason in the past, I don't know what. I don't know the reasons, to be honest."
Meanwhile another Mercedes source joked: “They have been asking since February 2014 – they ring up every week! If you see how they've treated Renault they are not a good partner to have…" Adam Cooper/Fox Sports
07/07/15
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| Red Bull with Mercedes power should be a winner |
(GMM) Aston Martin chief Andy Palmer has played down speculation the British carmaker is set to enter formula one.
CEO Andy Palmer was spotted on the grid of the British grand prix, in conversation with the likes of FIA president Jean Todt and Bernie Ecclestone.
It preceded rumors Aston Martin could come to the rescue for struggling Red Bull, re-branding customer Mercedes engines for the former champions from 2016.
But while admitting "talks" are taking place, Red Bull's Dr Helmut Marko insisted: "(Remember) there is also a company called Red Bull Technologies."
He is obviously referring to Adrian Newey's desire to design a Red Bull road car, and suggestions the two sides are already working together.
And Palmer suggested it would not be a stretch for any publication to report about "talks" between Aston Martin and F1 teams.
"I think most of the teams in the pitlane at one moment or other since I've been here in the last nine months have approached me in some way, shape or form," he said.
Indeed, it was with a Force India pass that Palmer actually entered the Silverstone paddock, it has emerged.
The meat of the Red Bull rumors, therefore, has been dismissed for now.
"We have a contractual relationship and a duty to (existing partner) Infiniti," said team boss Christian Horner. "(We have) a great relationship with them actually.
"Any talk beyond that, as I have said, is just rumors," he is quoted by Spain's Marca.
Indeed, Palmer indicated Aston Martin cannot afford to simply launch into F1.
"We as a company don't have the kind of money to go into formula one and make a decent job of it," he said.
"The best I can tell you is that it's improbable. I never say never but it's improbable."
07/06/15 Red Bull F1 Team Principal Christian Horner has "played down rumors of a potential partnership with Aston Martin," and made clear that the team will honor its Renault engine deal, according to GP UPDATE. Magazine Autocar reported that Aston Martin is negotiating a return to F1 in a "tie-up with Red Bull for next season, which would include the supply of Mercedes engines."
But when quizzed on the matter at the British Grand Prix and Aston Martin CEO Andy Palmer's attendance over the weekend, Horner "distanced himself from the speculation."
Horner: "Andy Palmer was here on a Force India pass. The fact is, we have a contract with Infiniti and Renault until the end of 2016."
Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff "denied that discussions have already taken place" with Red Bull over a potential engine supply deal, but said that he is "leaving the door open." Wolff said, "There are many, many things to be considered"
07/05/15 (GMM) All sides came out fighting on Saturday following speculation Red Bull is set for a sensational switch to Mercedes power.
A British magazine earlier reported the engines could be re-branded as Aston Martin, a British luxury carmaker that is 5 per cent owned by Mercedes.
But Red Bull's Dr Helmut Marko said on Saturday: "Red Bull and Renault will fulfil their current contract until the end of 2016.
"There are talks with Aston Martin — but about other projects. There is also a company called Red Bull Technologies," he told Speed Week, amid other speculation that Adrian Newey could be involved in a Red Bull road car project.
Marko, therefore, said the talk is just the customary round of F1 rumors.
"At the Red Bull Ring, it was Ferrari, now it's Mercedes. I wonder who it will be in Hungary. Honda?" the Austrian said sarcastically.
But Mercedes' Toto Wolff had a slightly different message at Silverstone.
"Aston Martin is a great brand," he said, "and Daimler has an industrial partnership. But this has no influence on our formula one involvement.
"We are in F1 to promote the brand Mercedes-Benz. What was said in this magazine is something that definitely did not come from us," added Wolff.
However, he would not rule anything out.
"It is always dangerous to talk about something forever. But the current situation is that we have Mercedes-Benz racing engines, and we will not give them different names for marketing reasons," said Wolff.
But everything might change if Renault – Red Bull's current supplier – buys back Lotus, who are currently supplied by Mercedes.
"True," Wolff said, "if that happens, then we would have the capacity. But there are still a lot of variants that are yet to play out," he added, also referring to rumors Renault could leave the sport completely.
"If you had asked me a few months ago, I would have categorically ruled out a Mercedes-involvement with Red Bull. But I have to say that as of today, no, there are no negotiations."
Red Bull team boss Christian Horner has also commented on the rumors, insisting that with so much gossip doing the rounds, "The basic fact is that we have a contract with Infiniti and Renault.
"Anything beyond that is pure speculation," he insisted.
And Mercedes team chairman said any talk of Mercedes-powered Red Bulls is "rubbish".
07/04/15 (GMM) Aston Martin could be Red Bull's ticket back to the front of the grid.
Autocar, a British weekly, reports that the British luxury road car manufacturer is in talks with the former world champions.
It follows Saturday's news that, with Red Bull and Renault looking increasingly likely to split, Mercedes' Toto Wolff is willing to "look at the new situation" if Red Bull is in need of a new engine supplier.
Wolff was responding to reports Renault is looking to buy the currently Mercedes-powered Lotus team.
"If Renault comes in and Lotus wants to get out of the contract," he told Speed Week, "we will find a solution."
Now, Autocar suggests that Aston Martin – which is 5 per cent owned by Mercedes – could take over the branding of Red Bull's new engines.
An Aston Martin spokesman did not comment.