F1 | Eifel GP | Toto Wolff says Mercedes will not supply Red Bull with engines
Toto Wolff points out that Mercedes does not have the capacity to supply other Formula 1 teams.
Red Bull and Alpha Tauri need a new engine partner following the Honda’s announcement to leave Formula 1 at the end of the next season. Asked about the possibility to supply Red Bull, Toto Wolff remarked that Mercedes lacks the capacity to supply additional teams, given that it already has Aston Martin, Williams, and McLaren as costumer teams for the next seasons.
“no, for various reasons, the main being we’re supplying four teams including us” when asked about the possibility of supplying the ex-Honda teams.
On the other hand, Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto underlined that it is up to Red Bull to ask for supply, as Ferrari does not consider the deal now.
“Obviously, we are not considering it, it’s something which we need to start considering now,” said Binotto.
“First, I think it will be down to Red Bull eventually to look at us and to ask for a supply.
“They are a great team, no doubt. I think that supplying them, a lot of energy is somehow required.
“But it’s something on which we need to consider, on which we have no position yet. We certainly need to take time to think up and have a decision.
“I think timing wise, it’s very little time because we need to organise ourselves. 2022 is just here behind tomorrow.
“It was sudden news from Honda and now we need to consider something which was not even considered a few days ago.”
Most likely, Renault will be interested in supplying Red Bull and Alpha Tauri after 2021. The current regulations compell Renault to supply Red Bull if they do not find alternatives. Renault Formula 1 chief, Cyril Abiteboul confirmed that he is aware of the possibility. However, Abiteboul added that Red Bull might have other options.
“I can confirm that I have not been contacted by Red Bull in relation to engine supply,” said Renault F1 chief Cyril Abiteboul.
“I don’t think it’s a question of whether we are open or not open.
“But as Toto has said, I can’t imagine that they don’t have a ‘Plan A’ or ‘Plan B’, and I think we are very far in the pecking order before they call us again.”
