Subscribe

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Motorsport prime

Discover premium content
Subscribe

Edition

Global
Breaking news

Red Bull F1 future rests on Audi - Montezemolo

Former Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo says Red Bull boss Dietrich Mateschitz will walk away from Formula 1 unless he can convince Audi to join the sport.

Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull Racing RB11

Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull Racing RB11

XPB Images

Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari SF15-T
Bernie Ecclestone, with Luca di Montezemolo, Ferrari President
Dietrich Mateschitz, Owner of Red Bull  and Christian Horner, Red Bull Racing, Sporting Director
Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari S15-T
Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull Racing RB11 stops at the end of the race with a blown engine
Christian Horner, Red Bull Racing, Sporting Director and Dietrich Mateschitz, Owner of Red Bull

Red Bull has repeatedly threatened to leave Formula 1 after struggling to be competitive, in part due to the problems with the Renault power unit.

The French manufacturer has also admitted it is considering its future in the sport, and Red Bull has suggested it could be forced out of F1 if Renault leaves, as it would be left without an engine supplier.

Amid speculation linking the Volkswagen group with a move to F1, Montezemolo revealed Mateschitz is trying to lure Audi to join the field.

Speaking with Italian newspaper La Repubblica, Montezemolo said Red Bull has "imploded" this year, adding that he thinks Ferrari has been lucky to regain its form while others have struggled.

"I honestly think they [Ferrari] have been a bit lucky: This year, apart from Mercedes, they have no other rivals," Montezemolo said.

"Williams has not improved and Red Bull has imploded - I know that Mateschitz is thinking of selling - 'I either convince Audi to enter or I'm leaving,' a mutual friend has told me - and McLaren is in crisis...

"In short, Ferrari starts every race with a podium in its pocket. But luck is useless if you don't take advantage of it."

Hybrid engine a mistake

Montezemolo also admitted he regrets the decision not to have blocked a move to V6 turbo engines when Ferrari was not prepared enough to be a match for the dominant Mercedes.

"Hybrid engines are the future, but in hindsight it would have been better to oppose them," he said.

The Italian, who left Ferrari halfway through last season, said he realised early that the team's engine was not good, and ordered former team boss Stefano Domenicali to switch focus to 2015, a decision he reckons it is now paying dividends.

"I called Domenicali and we started working immediately on 2015," he said. "We were confident about the chassis: we were back in our new, efficient wind tunnel after years of exile in Toyota's."

He added: "But I knew we had worked well ahead of 2015. So the moment when Vettel crossed the finish line at Sepang, I had confirmation that I had not only left a healthy company, but also a competitive team."

Be part of Motorsport community

Join the conversation
Previous article Ferrari return to form good for F1, says Webber
Next article Social media – a shining light in F1 amid the darkness

Top Comments

There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Motorsport prime

Discover premium content
Subscribe

Edition

Global