Horner brings out his annual crying towel

The Red Bull crying towel

It seems like Red Bull Racing threatens to leave Formula One at least once a season. When things might not go its way, the team starts to whine like babies. So far, those threats haven’t culminated in anything serious–but Red Bull is back at it again before the 2019 season has even started.

So, what is it this time? Red Bull is threatening that Formula One needs to “deliver" in order to keep them competing beyond 2021, according to Motorsport.com. What does that mean? In short, F1 is planning on doing things differently in the future, and Red Bull might catch the short end of the stick.

Asked if Red Bull co-owner Dietrich Mateschitz could pull out of F1 if he's not happy with F1's plans for 2021 and beyond, Christian Horner told Motorsport.com: "Absolutely, and that's his right.

"He's passionate about motorsport," he continued, "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. I think like all of us he's waiting to see what is F1 post-2020."

However, the Briton was keen to make clear that a slow start with the team's new engine partner, would not be key to Mateschitz's decision.

"He's never lacked motivation," said Horner. "Through good days and bad days he's always been tremendously supportive, and invested probably more into F1 than any other entity. Two F1 teams, a grand prix, plus all the promotion that Red Bull does around the world supporting F1, it's enormous. He wouldn't do that if he didn't believe in the sport."