Thread: Mercedes didn't supply Red Bull due to competition

Mercedes did not want to power Red Bull this year because the German marque feared being beaten.

That is the claim of Dr Helmut Marko, the motor sport adviser to the energy drinks company mogul Dietrich Mateschitz.

After multiple technical problems with its engine supplier Renault last year, Red Bull Racing tried to switch to Mercedes, known to be the best engine in F1 at present.

It was thought that Brawn (now Mercedes GP) and McLaren exercised their right to veto new Mercedes engine deals, so Red Bull has stayed with Renault power.

Marko said of Mercedes: "They didn't want us. Without being arrogant, they knew that if we had that engine, they wouldn't see us (on the track)."

He claims Mercedes has eked out an advantage despite the engine development freeze, and confirmed reports that Red Bull is pushing the FIA to allow its competitors to catch up.

"What we are trying now, and what Renault and Ferrari have also tried, is that we do an equalisation of the engine situation," said the Austrian.

Adrian Newey's RB6 driven by Sebastian Vettel set pole in Bahrain last weekend and was leading the season opener.

Red Bull initially thought the German's technical problem, which allowed all three eventual podium sitters to pass him, was a broken exhaust, but the team later issued a media statement to clarify that a spark plug had actually failed.

And when asked why plumes of smoke came out of Mark Webber's sister car at the start of the race, team boss Christian Horner told F1.com on Tuesday: "Honestly, I have no idea. You have to ask Renault."

Told that the problem initially looked like an engine failure, Horner added: "Yep, me too. That was also a bit of a frustrating moment."

I hear the Briggs and Straton are gonna be the ones to beat this year...

Originally Posted by Challenge It

Mercedes did not want to power Red Bull this year because the German marque feared being beaten.

That is the claim of Dr Helmut Marko, the motor sport adviser to the energy drinks company mogul Dietrich Mateschitz.

After multiple technical problems with its engine supplier Renault last year, Red Bull Racing tried to switch to Mercedes, known to be the best engine in F1 at present.

It was thought that Brawn (now Mercedes GP) and McLaren exercised their right to veto new Mercedes engine deals, so Red Bull has stayed with Renault power.

Marko said of Mercedes: "They didn't want us. Without being arrogant, they knew that if we had that engine, they wouldn't see us (on the track)."

He claims Mercedes has eked out an advantage despite the engine development freeze, and confirmed reports that Red Bull is pushing the FIA to allow its competitors to catch up.

"What we are trying now, and what Renault and Ferrari have also tried, is that we do an equalisation of the engine situation," said the Austrian.

Adrian Newey's RB6 driven by Sebastian Vettel set pole in Bahrain last weekend and was leading the season opener.

Red Bull initially thought the German's technical problem, which allowed all three eventual podium sitters to pass him, was a broken exhaust, but the team later issued a media statement to clarify that a spark plug had actually failed.

And when asked why plumes of smoke came out of Mark Webber's sister car at the start of the race, team boss Christian Horner told F1.com on Tuesday: "Honestly, I have no idea. You have to ask Renault."

Told that the problem initially looked like an engine failure, Horner added: "Yep, me too. That was also a bit of a frustrating moment."

Bad call...

Originally Posted by coy glasscock

I hear the Briggs and Straton are gonna be the ones to beat this year...

Don't bet on it. John Deere has some new development parts in the works. Better mulching etc...

honestly if i was MBZ i'd freakin do the same thing

if Toro Rosso had a chance in hell to beat ferrari, u best know that they'd pull their engine out of that sucker too

Originally Posted by KandyRedCoi

honestly if i was MBZ i'd freakin do the same thing

if Toro Rosso had a chance in hell to beat ferrari, u best know that they'd pull their engine out of that sucker too

seriously... the funny thing is so far red bull beat them anyway at least until vettels engine incident

Originally Posted by MMR

seriously... the funny thing is so far red bull beat them anyway at least until vettels engine incident

yea hahaha

Any bets on a Red Bull Ferrari, just like their sister team Scuderia Toro Rosso Ferrari?

If that were to happen, Mercedes will have F*cked them selves for NOT supplying a top constructor.

I'd like to see thme use the Ferrari motor just to stick it to Mercedes.

Red Bull Ferrari would be effin sickkkk!