The Formula One rumour mill, a mischievous flow of intrigue during the summer layoff, is going full pelt around three top names.
Ferrari, Mercedes and Red Bull are the principals in a festival of grand prix gossip which, according to my information, is destined to develop into reality.
It all stems from Renault’s upcoming, almost certain divorce from Red Bull, the disenchanted bearers of the French suppliers’ woeful engines that have left the former world masters as humbled strivers.
I hear that Mercedes, currently the monopolising title pacemakers transporting Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg along racing elite’s glory road, have, behind the scenes, joined Ferrari in an eagerness to supply Red Bull with their all-conquering engines.
They are both keeping a careful watch on the developing break-up of Renault and Red Bull, which is not so much acrimonious as merely inevitable and is approaching its climax.
Ferrari’s Sergio Marchionne, I gather, has in the last few weeks offered to sell “customer” Maranello-produced engines to Red Bull from next year, when the fizzy drinks company team’s contract with Renault runs out.
The snag is, I understand, that the power units from the Italian legends would keep its new customers one specification behind the front line works team. And that is more than likely what intensified Red Bull’s alternative queries with the historic German engine builders.
In stark contrast to Ferrari, the Mercedes authorities insist that, without fail, they would supply identical equipment with the fullest quality and endeavour to their buying clientele.
And, what’s more, if Lotus is bought by Renault as rumour has it, Mercedes may have a vacancy on their books that they would eagerly switch to the very troubled Red Bull team.
Toto Wolff, the head of Mercedes motorsport, says: “One should not help to make one’s opponents stronger, but we also need to find a balance between pure egoism and the welfare of the Formula One championship.
“We know it is important to have a healthy and exciting platform, as victories are always more valuable and enjoyably satisfying if they are achieved against strong opposition.
“Mercedes as a Formula One team are first and foremost geared to seek our advantage in races and win the world championship.
“But, equally, as participants in grands prix we also have a responsibility to the series as a whole. And on that basis and belief our decisions will be shaped.”
There is clearly a hard-fought tussle developing behind the Formula One scenes and the outcome could turn Red Bull’s demise around and make them winners and champions all over again.
— The writer is a freelance journalist and motorsport expert
