Red Bull is now looking to the most powerful man in motor-racing to help solve its engine supply crisis.
Just as Red Bull magnate Dietrich Mateschitz’s self-imposed end-of-October deadline expires, FIA president Jean Todt showed up in Mexico City for an ultra-rare F1 paddock appearance.
The Frenchman admitted the fact Red Bull Racing and Toro Rosso are currently without power units for 2016 is “frustrating”. “There is always a reason why certain things happen,” said Todt. “But we should give all the assistance we can so that they are at the start next year with a homologated engine.”
That is not quite the sound of a firing engine, but it is music to the ears of Dr Helmut Marko, who is Mateschitz’s right-hand man on F1 matters. “It’s a difficult situation,” Marko admitted to Bild am Sonntag newspaper in Mexico.
After it emerged McLaren had vetoed a last-resort deal between Red Bull and Honda, Eric Boullier explained to Auto Motor und Sport: “Honda and us are partners with a common approach. “It is not about Ron Dennis and (Yasuhisa) Arai-San saying yes. The fact is that Red Bull put itself in this situation and we are not a welfare organisation,” he added.
Marko continued: “Everything is very tedious. But Jean Todt is here in Mexico so hopefully we will soon know some more about the new engine,” added the Austrian. Todt was also quoted as saying: “I am sure the people of Red Bull are working diligently to find a solution. And Bernie Ecclestone has offered to help. “I am optimistic that Red Bull Racing and Toro Rosso will contest next year’s world championship. But that’s all I can say for now.”
