On the eve of Red Bull’s home race, Red Bull’s top man is quickly losing interest in the sport his company dominated for four years.
In a lengthy interview with Speedweek, which is owned by Red Bull, Red Bull boss Dietrich Mateschitz has spoken of his concerns about staying in Formula 1.
This isn’t the first time he’s spoken out, but with these comments coming just before the Austrian Grand Prix at the Red Bull Ring, they seem to ring harsher.
Translated, Mateschitz said, “With such a customer engine you’ll never be more world champions. And if we see that we have no chance at a world title more, because we are also trimmed in aerodynamics … We simply lose interest. We are poor precious extras.”
The “poor precious extras” line also could mean support actors, which has been the role Red Bull have played this year.
He continued to hit out harshly at Renault, which has been behind since the 1.6L V6 turbocharged era came back on board last year. Still, it was the engine partner the team had for its four previous World Championships.
“So they have taken our time and money, and also the desire and motivation,” Mateschitz said, again translated. “Because no driver and no chassis in the world can compensate for this lack of horsepower.”
He also said for 2016 they have no alternative, noting they’re “stuck” with Renault.
The comments come on the heels of Daniel Ricciardo having already been through four power units this year, and likely due to take a grid penalty this weekend in Austria with another engine change looming.
Red Bull has committed through 2020, but has issued a quit threat earlier this year.
The full Speedweek article is linked here, in German.
