Red Bull and Toro Rosso to stay with Renault engines in 2016 (4th Update)
10/09/15 (GMM) Daniil Kvyat on Friday would not dismiss paddock speculation that Red Bull and Renault could call off their impending divorce.
As the energy drink outfit's engine crisis develops at speed ahead of the Russian grand prix, the latest rumor is that – with the Mercedes and Ferrari options increasingly sidelined – talks to mend broken bridges are now taking place.
"Honestly, I don't know much more than you I think," Russian Kvyat, who drives for Red Bull Racing, said in the Sochi paddock.
"I talk only with the team, and they've said only to be patient and wait for the decision."
When told that Red Bull and Renault could simply stay together, however, Kvyat answered: "I think that with hard work any problem can be solved, no matter what has happened in the past.
"I don't know anything about the negotiations with Renault, Ferrari, Mercedes or Lamborghini," he laughed. "I think we just need to be patient. The situation is changing every day but I trust the guys who are in charge."
10/09/15
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| Bernie says the deal is done, Red Bull and Toro Rosso will have engines |
(GMM) Red Bull's engine saga is speeding ahead faster even than the cars on the slippery Sochi track on Friday.
The day began with the energy drink company reportedly still in talks with Ferrari.
But then reports emerged that while the Maranello team was happy to help the sister team Toro Rosso with a supply of 2015 engines, it was ruling out a deal for Red Bull Racing.
"Both Red Bull and Ferrari want to win the world championship," Bernie Ecclestone told La Gazzetta dello Sport, "so it is also in Ferrari's interests to keep Red Bull out of the game."
The F1 supremo has spent hours in separate meetings with Red Bull, Ferrari and even Mercedes officials, although Toto Wolff insisted the German marque is standing firm on not leaping to Red Bull's rescue.
"I can arrange for people to talk to each other, but I can't force them to do anything," Ecclestone said.
During the second free practice session on Friday, a rumor then began swirling that talks between Red Bull and Renault were back on.
A more upbeat Ecclestone told reporters: "Everything's being sorted out so I wouldn't worry about it. I think it's all been cleared up now. It's being cleared up, whatever they are going to have.
"Obviously if they have an engine, that will be positive."
Asked when an announcement will be made, he answered: "I've no idea. When they've decided, they'll come out.
"He (Dietrich Mateschitz) never fell out of love (with F1). He just wants to be in a position where he can be competitive. And that's what will happen. He'll be ok.
"He knows what he's doing."
But Red Bull's Christian Horner suggested the F1 supremo's optimism may be premature.
"The great thing about Bernie is he seems to know a lot more than the rest of us," he told the BBC. "If he knows it's all sorted, that's all fine then."
10/09/15
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| It will probably be Renault power for the two Red Bull teams in 2016 |
With help from Bernie Ecclestone, Red Bull and Toro Rosso are in talks with current engine supplier Renault to use their engines rather than Ferrari 'B' engines in 2016. Renault has a contract to supply both teams with engines through the 2016 season and after a lot of posturing, it looks like both sides have come to the realization the contract must be honored.
10/09/15 (GMM) The talk in the Sochi paddock on Friday is all about Red Bull.
And the rumors are developing by the minute. One is that Ferrari has now ruled out working with the premier crisis-struck energy drink owned team in 2016, even though it is prepared to offer a 2015-spec engine to sister squad Toro Rosso.
"We know it's late, so the option of using the 2015 specification Ferrari power unit in 2016 will be acceptable to us," boss Franz Tost is quoted by Russia's Championat.
Where that leaves Red Bull Racing is anybody's guess, as speculation swirls that if Dietrich Mateschitz does decide to pull the Milton-Keynes based team out, Renault might even buy it.
Hours of meetings have been held at Sochi so far on Friday, the headline one being between Bernie Ecclestone and Red Bull chiefs, preceding the F1 supremo sitting with Mercedes' Niki Lauda.
And on Thursday, it is believed Ecclestone also met with Ferrari's Sergio Marchionne.