Ferrari have moved a step closer to becoming the dominant engine supplier in Formula One, with the news that Red Bull and Renault are close to ending their troubled relationship.
Ferrari already provide engines for Sauber and Manor, as well as for themselves and would be favourites to replace Renault at Red Bull. Red Bull’s sister outfit, Toro Rosso, who have had a fruitful relationship with Ferrari in the past, could follow them.
As the Italians have already signed a contract to supply power units for Haas, who will join F1 next year, that could mean Ferrari supplying seven of the 11 teams in 2016.
Red Bull and Renault forged one of the great partnerships in F1, winning four double world championships between 2010 and 2013. But Renault have struggled to come to terms with the demands of the new V6 turbo-powered age, and Red Bull’s team principal Christian Horner has been outspoken in his criticism of the engine manufacturers, who are negotiating a takover of troubled Lotus.
The Renault chief executive Carlos Ghosn confirmed that he and Red Bull were ready to split when, speaking at the Frankfurt Motor Show, he said: “We said very clearly, it’s finished. We already alerted the Formula One authorities: ‘Don’t count on us as a provider of an engine. It’s over.’
“We will honour our contracts, no problem, but the occasion of Renault as a developer and supplier of engines stops.”
Renault’s contract with Red Bull and Toro Rosso does not expire until the end of the 2016 season but Horner wants that brought forward. His first-choice replacement would be Mercedes but the German team, who are set to retain the titles they won last year, have made it clear they do not want to supply Red Bull.
Meanwhile, the Manor team have announced that American Alexander Rossi will replace Roberto Merhi for five of the last seven races of the season, starting in Singapore on Sunday.
“We are delighted to sign Alexander as race driver,” said team principal John Booth. “He is widely-regarded as a driver who is on the cusp of an exciting F1 career and his current form in the GP2 Series has done much to reinforce his clear potential.”
Merhi will drive for Manor in Russia and Abu Dhabi, while Rossi continues to compete for the GP2 championship.
