Categories: F1 News, Reports and Race ResultsMercedes

Mercedes torn over Red Bull engine deal

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Toto Wolff admits there are certain advantages to Mercedes potentially supplying Red Bull with engines in the future.

Red Bull has been enduring a strained relationship with Renault since the introduction of the current power unit regulations, with Mercedes having dominated since the start of 2014. Renault looks increasingly likely to purchase Lotus and return to being an F1 constructor, which will lead Red Bull without an engine partner after next season.

With the Mercedes power unit the strongest on the grid, and Honda's return with McLaren showing how difficult it is for a new manufacturer to enter F1 and be competitive, Red Bull has been linked with a switch to Mercedes which Wolff admits has its attractions.

“There is an agreement in place [between Red Bull and Renault] and we do not want to interfere in legal matters between the parties," Wolff told La Gazzetta dello Sport.

“However, if I wear the hat of Mercedes-Benz motorsport and I speak on behalf of Formula 1, I must say that it is an attractive option because it would tie a brand that has appeal among young people with one that is winning.

“But of course, as head of the team, it's not really ideal to strengthen a competitor who knows how to build winning cars.”

Wolff has previously said he is "leaving the door open" to supply Red Bull in future, while at the Austrian Grand Prix Ferrari president Sergio Marchionne said he would be willing to add the four-time constructors' champions as customers.

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Andrew Lewin

Andrew first became a fan of Formula 1 during the time when Michael Schumacher and Damon Hill were stepping into the limelight after the era of Alain Prost, Nigel Mansell and Aryton Senna. He's been addicted ever since, and has been writing about the sport now for nearly a quarter of a century for a number of online news sites. He's also written professionally about GP2 (now Formula 2), GP3, IndyCar, World Rally Championship, MotoGP and NASCAR. In his other professional life, Andrew is a freelance writer, social media consultant, web developer/programmer, and digital specialist in the fields of accessibility, usability, IA, online communities and public sector procurement. He worked for many years in magazine production at Bauer Media, and for over a decade he was part of the digital media team at the UK government's communications department. Born and raised in Essex, Andrew currently lives and works in south-west London.