Former star driver sums up confused situation at Russian GP
Friday 9 October 2015 15:54, UK
Sebastian Vettel has voiced his concerns over Red Bull’s F1 future as uncertainty around his former team's participation came to a head on Friday.
Speaking following practice for this weekend's Russian GP - and on a day when speculation about the former world champions' involvement hung as heavily as the rain clouds which washed out the afternoon's action at the Sochi Autodrom - Vettel summed up the situation about as well as anyone.
"It's difficult to judge, there's a lot of rumours going round. I think it's hard to imagine if they're not on the grid next year," he told Sky Sports News HQ.
One might assume that Vettel is ideally placed to know the likely outcome, or at least have an inkling. Yet he insisted: "I don't know how much of a threat it is - which rumours to believe in - but knowing the team, it would obviously be a shame for all the employees if they can't follow their passion, which is racing."
With P1 running also limited after a cleaning vehicle dropped diesel oil on the track, the efforts of Vettel and company were reduced to sideshow status as reports that Ferrari had rejected Red Bull's request for an engine supply began to circulate.
While Ferrari made no explicit comment, they did reiterate their concern that Red Bull's request - which was made at the Italian GP and only after Mercedes had first turned them down - has come too late for them to ramp up their supply capabilities.
Even so, Bernie Ecclestone was quoted in the paddock as saying that "it's sorted" and that 22 cars will be on the grid in 2016, while there were suggestions that Red Bull's outgoing partners, the much-maligned Renault, and even Mercedes might be back in the frame. On balance, perhaps the best conclusion to draw is that the situation remains in a state of considerable flux.
Yet Vettel's thoughts centred on Red Bull's staff in Milton Keynes. "What would it mean? For everyone, it's difficult to imagine if they're not part of the grid next year. I hope that somehow it will happen," he added.
"The history I have, I know the team inside out; there's a lot of good people there. It would be a shame for the drivers and also for the people in the team if they ended up with no jobs next year."
Don't miss Sky Sports F1's live weekend-long coverage of the 2015 Russian Grand Prix. Our race-day show begins at 10.30am on Sunday, with lights out at 12 noon. Watch the Russian GP for £6.99 with NOW TV
