Watch FIFA World Cup 2026™

LIVE, FREE and EXCLUSIVE starting June 12 2026

Ricciardo positive despite Red Bull threat

Red Bull owner Dietrich Mateschitz says the team's future in the sport will be decided by the end of October.

Daniel Ricciardo insists he is not worried about Red Bull leaving Formula One, despite owner Dietrich Mateschitz setting a late October deadline for a decision over the team's future.

The team is threatening to leave the sport after their split with Renault left them without an engine for 2016.

Red Bull is looking for a Ferrari engine deal, but sticking points remain over the specifications of a Ferrari-built engine.

Ferrari are believed to be reluctant to offer Red Bull the same engines it will supply to their own team, Haas and Sauber in 2016.

Mateschitz said the team was prepared to wait for a deal until "sometime in late October".

News that makes sense

Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

"We strive to get motors, but we get none - at least not the one we want," Mateschitz told the Red Bull-owned Speedweek magazine.

Ricciardo, who is currently 7th in the standings, said he hadn't considered a negative end to the impasse.

"It's good that Dietrich has set a bit of a deadline because we have got to know what we are doing, and if we are going with 'X' engine then we have got to start designing the car and all the rest of it," Ricciardo said.

"We can't wait until Christmas, so we will see in a few more weeks if we get a decision or an outcome.

"I'm still positive as long as we have still got time on our side.

"It's not the end of October yet, so I'll remain positive and if we get to the end of October and nothing has been sorted then I'll for sure start having my eyes and ears a little bit more open about what else is going on."

Daniil Kvyat, who sits one place behind Ricciardo in eighth, has said he has faith in Red Bull to make the right call.

Torro Rosso's Max Verstappen, one of the sport's brightest young talents, said he was not afraid of the potential withdrawal.

"I know I have a contract for some more years," Verstappen told Autosport.com.

"Even if they pull out - and we have to wait and see what happens - I've no fear I won't be in F1.

"If they pull out you have to do something, but for me there are no signs they will stop, so I'm very happy with where I am."


3 min read

Published

Updated

Source: AAP


Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News straight to your inbox

Sign up now for daily news from Australia and around the world. You can also subscribe to Insight's weekly newsletter for in-depth features and first-person stories.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Follow SBS News

Download our apps

Listen to our podcasts

Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service

Stream now

Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world