Formula One news

Mateschitz: Red Bull title race over

Red Bull owner Dietrich Mateschitz believes that his team's chances of clinching its first Formula One title are now over. In fact, the Austrian thought chances were up even before the weekend's Italian Grand Prix and is disappointed at this year's sequence of Renault engine failures.

Although the works Renault team is using identical powerplants to Red Bull, it is the Milton Keynes cars which are bearing the brunt of the problems this season.

Mateschitz founded Red Bull 25 years ago

"That was, in truth, even before Monza, with our engine inferiority and the regulations with the limitation to eight engines per driver for the year," Mateschitz answered when being asked by the Salzburger Nachrichten newspaper if the team's title quest has come to an early end.

The 65-year-old does believe that race-winning chances remain, however, despite the possibilities of being forced to start further down the grid. "Of course, a victory is not impossible but the way we've had engine failures four times with two drivers is not expected.

"The increase in performance has been tremendous this year but the best car and best driver alone is not good enough." Rumours continue to circulate in the paddock that Red Bull will be running with Mercedes power next year.

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