Red Bull could switch to Mercedes power

(GMM) Christian Horner has refused to rule out the possibility of Red Bull switching customer engine suppliers at the end of the 2009 season.

The Milton Keynes based team's Renault contract runs out this year, and reports have indicated a switch to Mercedes-Benz is a possibility for 2010 and beyond.

Team boss Horner, however, told Germany's Sport Bild that Red Bull is happy with Renault, after the French marque was allowed to catch up its more powerful rivals over the winter amid the engine freeze.

"For the moment it is my belief that Dietrich Mateschitz does not intend to negotiate with a new engine partner," the Briton said. "Fortunately we have time."

But Horner does not totally rule out a switch.

"In these times, who knows what engine manufacturers are still going to be there in 2010?" he pointed out.

"Ross Brawn has proved that it is possible to have a very good car even with a very new engine partner. In this case Mercedes is attractive, not only because of the engine."

Horner said Mercedes' KERS system might also be of interest to Red Bull.

"It seems to be the best system in the field," he acknowledged. "It's compact and has no negative effect on the car balance, which is really the fundamental problem of (other makers') KERS (systems)."

As well as McLaren, Mercedes-Benz already supplies the Force India and Brawn teams.