Red Bull could leave Formula 1 if it finds itself at the centre of controversial decisions, such as the one to disqualify Daniel Ricciardo from the Australian Grand Prix.
That is the warning from Austrian owner Dietrich Mateschitz.
The billionaire often states that Red Bull will only leave once the sport no longer makes economical sense from a marketing point of view, however he told the Kurier that “sporting value” and “politics” may also force the brand out.
“The fact is that the federation’s [FIA] sensor has given inaccurate values since the beginning of the [pre-season] tests,” explained the 69-year-old. “We can prove that we were within the limits.
“The question is not so much about whether it [F1] makes economic sense, but more to do with the sporting value, political influence and the like,” he said.
“We have had it all but on these things from our perspective there is a clear limit to what we can accept.”
He also gave his view on the current hot topic – the sound of the new V6 power units – which he’s not too keen on.
“F1 should be again what it always has been: the ultimate discipline.
“It is not there to set new records in fuel consumption, or so you can talk at a whisper during a race and the greatest thrill is the squealing of the tyres.
“I consider it equally absurd that we are going a second slower than last year and that the junior series GP2 is almost as fast with a fraction of the budget.”
Discussion about this post