Mercedes, Ferrari Should Be Open to Red Bull Engine Deal for 2016 F1 Season
So where do Red Bull go from here?
For the first time since the last of their four title-winning seasons in 2013, it felt as though the team had a plan of action in September when, as reported by Autosport's Dieter Rencken and Lawrence Barretto, Red Bull "issued a document requesting a termination" of their nine-year relationship with engine suppliers Renault.
Finally set to be freed from the most poisonous excuse for a chassis-engine "partnership"—and no longer compelled to run the V6 turbo power unit that has been their main obstacle to further success since the beginning of 2014—it seemed as though Red Bull were making active steps to return to the front of the grid and to ensure their downturn in form would only be temporary.
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
That arrangement, though, required a little help from Red Bull's friends, and Mercedes and Ferrari—the manufacturers of the most powerful engines on the modern Formula One grid—were initially receptive to the idea of filling the void left by Renault.
As long ago as June's Austrian Grand Prix, Ferrari chairman Sergio Marchionne told Sky Sports' Pete Gill of his "respect" for Red Bull. In August, Mercedes motorsport boss Toto Wolff told Italian publication La Gazzetta dello Sport (h/t Grand Prix.com) how Red Bull were "an attractive option" for his team.
Yet despite leading Red Bull on, both manufacturers are no longer eager to join forces with the Milton Keynes-based outfit.
After the Italian GP, Motorsport.com's Jonathan Noble reported that Daimler, Mercedes' parent company, had "gone cold on the idea" of supplying Red Bull.
On the eve of this weekend's Russian Grand Prix, meanwhile, German publication Auto Motor und Sport (h/t Sky Sports) has suggested Ferrari "are only willing" to supply power units to Toro Rosso, Red Bull's B-team, and not the four-time world champions.
And the team who have spent much of this season making empty, hollow threats to quit F1 may now—without an engine to power their cars for 2016—be left with no option but to walk away.
Mercedes and Ferrari's handling of Red Bull has offered yet more evidence that the V6 turbo regulations are not fit for purpose, giving leading manufacturers increased power in every sense of the word, to the point where they can effectively play God with customer teams.
With an intimate technical partnership with the new Haas team—which, per BBC Sport's Andrew Benson, will see the Prancing Horse provide "as many parts as is allowed" under the current regulations—Ferrari have given the gift of life to the American outfit. Meanwhile, Manor Marussia's 2016 engine deal with Mercedes will see the Silver Arrows revive a team who were given the last rites just 12 months ago.
The way Mercedes and Ferrari almost seemed to have conspired to impose a death sentence on Red Bull is the latest example of competitors being unable to suspend their own interests for the good of the sport.
But although their reluctance to aid Red Bull is undoubtedly a consequence of their unwillingness to strengthen a direct rival—Bernie Ecclestone recently told Autosport's Ian Parkes how Marchionne was "frightened" of upsetting his Ferrari colleagues—it highlights a major flaw in the psyche of F1 teams.
Rather than viewing Red Bull as a danger to their supremacy—a team who, with power parity, could steal the accolades reserved for them—Mercedes and Ferrari should regard them as worthy challengers and, in supplying them engines, an opportunity to validate their own achievements and cement their greatness.
On a weekend Mercedes can secure their second successive constructors' title—and when establishing a legacy of some description will soon be of paramount importance—winning the F1 championship without teams of Red Bull's stature risks being the equivalent of winning the Wimbledon tennis tournament when the main contenders are forced to withdraw through injury.
The trophy would still gleam. The prize money would still expand the bank balance. But the satisfaction, the fulfillment and the majesty of victory would not be the same as competing head-to-head against the best of the business on even ground. And winning.
It is, then, a sad reflection of F1 that the most successful team in the sport's history and the most victorious outfit of the modern era simply do not back themselves to beat a customer-engined Red Bull.
And if Red Bull are left dangling at the end of this year, they can take much solace from the fact that Ferrari and Mercedes were not bold or brave enough to take them on.
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
