Mercedes firmly rejects supplying engines to Red Bull

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Mercedes boss Toto Wolff reiterated on Friday what everyone already knew: the German manufacturer will not supply Red Bull with an engine from 2022.

Red Bull has found itself in a fix, scrambling to seal an engine deal with a supplier for 2022 by the end of the year following the announcement of Honda's exit from F1 at the end of next season.

Only three power unit suppliers remain on the grid: Mercedes, Ferrari and Renault. But in Friday's team principals' press conference at the Nürburgring, Wolff dismissed any collaboration between Mercedes and Red Bull, invoking "various reasons".

"The main [reason] being that we are supplying four teams including us," Wolff said.

"We are almost in a state where we cannot make power units for all of us, so there is no capacity.

"But I have no doubt that Helmut [Marko] will have a Plan B, as he said, and probably doesn't need to rely on any of the current power unit suppliers."

Red Bull team boss Christian Horner said the Milton Keynes-based would take its time to investigate the various engine supply alternatives for itself and sister outfit AlphaTauri.

Ricciardo believes Renault/Red Bull reconciliation possible

Regarding a renewed relationship with Ferrari, which supplied both Red Bull and Toro Rosso in the past, Scuderia boss Mattia Binotto said there had so far been no discussions between the Italian outfit and Red Bull about an engine supply deal.

"It is something that we need to start considering now, I think we have not decided," Binotto said.

"I think it will be down to Red Bull eventually to look at us and ask for a supply. They are a great team, no doubt, and I think supplying them is as well a lot of energy which is required.

"Timing-wise, there is very little time because we need to organise ourselves. 2022 is just here behind, so as we said, it was somehow sudden news from Honda and now we need to consider something that was not considered a few days ago.

"But [it is] something which we need to consider and which we need to take time to think about and have a decision."

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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.