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Secret billionaire session: Malone and Mateschitz meet!

In a meeting of powerful billionaires seeking to shape the future of Formula 1, Liberty Media's John Malone and Red Bull's Dietrich Mateschitz apparently held secret talks recently.

Recently, Red Bull's Helmut Marko warned once again that if the current 'power unit' regulations were extended beyond 2020, the energy drink company would simply pull its two teams - Red Bull Racing and Toro Rosso - out of F1.

It's like the discussions between Malone and Mateschitz were also destined to appease the energy drink company founder's building worries.

Independent engine supplier key to F1 future - Horner

Red Bull's Christian Horner also said recently that F1's future engine platform must be accessible to independent suppliers.

"I think the most important thing for F1 post-2020 is a competitive independent engine," he told Motorsport.com.

"I think the regulations for that need to be set very soon. So there are key criteria that need to be address that are very much the focus of the Liberty guys right now."

Now, Bild newspaper is reporting that following the meeting between John Malone and Dietrich Mateschitz, the two men are now united about the cheaper, simpler and louder direction of the engine rules, with even Mercedes' Niki Lauda not disagreeing.

"We have to agree about a future-oriented but more efficient solution," the F1 legend told Bild am Sonntag.

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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.