• Red Bull

Red Bull issues quit threat over F1 regulations

Red Bull could contemplate walking away from Formula One if the sport does not reassess the current engine regulations.

Following a dominant display from Mercedes at the opening round of the season in Australia, Red Bull called on the FIA to use the regulations to equalise the field and rein in the advantage of the world champions. Speaking to Austrian media after the race, Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko upped the ante by suggesting the company - which owns both Red Bull Racing and Toro Rosso - could sever its ties with the sport if changes are not made.

"We will evaluate the situation again [in the summer] as every year and look into costs and revenues," Marko was quoted by Autosport. "If we are totally dissatisfied we could contemplate an F1 exit. Yes, the danger is there that Mr Mateschitz loses his passion for F1."

Red Bull is contracted to stay in the sport until 2020 under its commercial agreement with F1, making a sudden exit unlikely or extremely costly. But Marko argues that the current regulations, which brought an end to Red Bull's run of four consecutive championships last year, are killing the sport.

"These power units are the wrong solution for F1, and we would say this even if [Red Bull supplier] Renault were in the lead," he added. The technical rules are not understandable, much too complicated, and too expensive.

"We are governed by an engineers' formula. We wanted cost reduction too, but it is not happening like this. A designer like Adrian Newey [who is stepping back from F1] is castrated by this engine formula. These rules will kill the sport."