With the new regulations coming into force next season, a shuffle is expected to take place with several teams opting to switch engine suppliers.
At present, Renault supplies Red Bull, Lotus, Williams and Caterham. Mercedes has its works team as well as McLaren and Force India, whilst Ferrari supplies its own, Toro Rosso and Sauber. Marussia is the sole customer of Cosworth following HRT’s departure last season.
Thins are however expected to change next year, with price being one of the biggest factors.
As The F1 Times reported, Renault is charging the most for its engines next season, whilst Ferrari is the cheapest with Mercedes in the middle.
We know for sure that Ferrari and Mercedes will remain unchanged, McLaren will stay with Mercedes until 2015 when they will switch to Honda and Red Bull will continue to use Renault engines, rebadged as Infiniti.
Caterham have also confirmed their intention to stay with Renault power with team owner Tony Fernandes making the announcement in Monaco on Friday.
Toro Rosso, which currently use Ferrari power, are expected to announce this weekend that they have agreed a deal with Renault, bringing both Dietrich Mateschitz owned teams in line with each other.
Sauber will more than likely stay with Ferrari, leaving the Italian’s with two teams. However it’s believed Marussia are close to signing a deal, partly because of the cost and because they may be able to agree an even cheaper deal by retaining Ferrari junior driver Jules Bianchi.
Williams, which switched back to Renault engines from Cosworth in 2011 are evaluating a switch to Mercedes, whilst Lotus too are looking at German power, but have also entered into talks with Ferrari.
In summary, Renault is likely to power Red Bull (Infiniti), Toro Rosso and Caterham. Mercedes will supply its works team, McLaren – who will later switch to Honda – Force India, Williams and possibly Lotus, whilst Ferrari will power its works team, Sauber, Marussia and maybe Lotus.
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