Red Bull's Marko delivers another threat to F1

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Red Bull's Helmut Marko delivered another thinly veiled threat to F1, reiterating the possibility the energy drink company could pull out of the sport if changes don't take hold.

Marko's beef, like before, is with Formula 1's over-complicated and costly engine rules, saying that the sport's current "nonsensical power unit formula" is "wrong for F1".

"Formula 1 needs an engine that is simple, loud and with a cost not exceeding ten million dollars," Marko told Salzburger Nachrichten.

If nothing changes beyond 2020, when a new engine platform is set to be ushered in, Red Bull will quit.

"The power units are an incredible technical achievement that does not matter to the public and puts the driver in the background," Marko added.

"It is madness if you need 20 million and more for an engine. Above all it is irrelevant, as there is nothing like this technology in production cars."

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The Austrian contends that successful carmakers like Mercedes and Ferrari are currently in a position to "blackmail" other teams.

"We were close to getting no engine in 2015," he said.

"The rules must be such that Cosworth and Ilmor can successfully and commercially make an engine, so that whoever wants one - whether us or Sauber or Toro Rosso - can buy one."

Marko pointed towards Honda's disastrous state of affairs as proof of the rules inadequacy, and put the onus on Liberty Media to fix the problem beyond 2020.

"It is simply the complexity of these regulations that make it so difficult for a world-class company like Honda to be competitive," Marko insisted.

"We are assured by Liberty that they are serious. Ross Brawn works in this direction, because even a super engineer like him sometimes does not even understand."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.