Red Bull’s long-term commitment to F1 depends on track success and the marketing value, Dr Helmut Marko has admitted. The UK-based, Austrian team has embarrassed dedicated carmakers and legendary motor racing teams including Ferrari and McLaren in the past few seasons by dominating the sport.
“What is really funny is that over the last few decades McLaren and Ferrari have been arch rivals, but since our arrival – and success – they have moved much closer together,” laughed Marko, who is team owner Dietrich Mateschitz’s right-hand man on F1 matters.
Nonetheless, there remain questions about Red Bull’s long-term commitment.
“That’s not entirely true,” the Austrian insisted to F1’s official website. “There have been comments from Dietrich Mateschitz that should the framework requirements not apply, then there could be second thoughts.
“Formula One is a marketing tool for Red Bull, which means that we permanently evaluate our input and the output of our commitment. This equation has to be positive. If long-term success is there, then there is definitely no question at all.”
Source:GMM
