Red Bull would consider leaving Formula 1 for Le Mans in 2021 and a project with title sponsor Aston Martin.
Over the past year or so, an overhaul of the regulations has been discussed between teams and owners Liberty Media as part of a new Concorde Agreement to come into effect in two years time.
Previously, Ferrari and Mercedes have both admitted they could leave if they don’t agree with the new vision while Red Bull has been more supportive of the proposed changes.
Now though, advisor Helmut Marko has acknowledged nothing is off the table regarding the company’s future.
“We have an agreement until 2020, [but] as long as there is no engine regulation and no Concorde Agreement, neither Red Bull nor Honda will make a decision [beyong that],” he told Autosport.
“However, we will certainly not become dependent again as we have been in the past, when we were begging others and statements and promises were not kept.
“Stopping is an option or doing something else, another racing series.”
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Aston Martin had considered becoming an engine supplier in F1 from 2021 but changed their minds after the proposed changes were watered down. Instead, their main focus is now on the new hypercar regulations being introduced in the WEC from 2020.
Having partnered with the British brand to develop the Valkyrie model, which Marko described as a “sensational success”, the Red Bull man didn’t role out an expansion of their motorsport program regardless of what happens in F1.
“If there was a cost cap in Formula 1, we would have to cut people. We don’t necessarily want that. We could then use them in such projects [as Le Mans],” he explained.
“It still looks like you can run in the WEC at a reasonable cost with the base of our Valkyrie.
“Although Red Bull has never been to the 24 Hours, that’s something we’re thinking about. The main financial burden would be on Aston Martin, which is also clear because at Le Mans the manufacturer wins, but that would fit into our concept.”