Will Red Bull quit Formula 1?

There has been lots of talk over the last day about the Red Bull team threatening to quit Formula 1 after the year if the regulations do not change. This would be a huge loss for the sport as Red Bull is one of its biggest teams and it would be difficult to replace them. Formula 1 is in a difficult time right now and needs as many big teams as they can get.

Red Bull is saying that they do not like the engine regulations and that they would not like them even if they were the ones in front. They are also saying that there needs to be a change in the regulations which stop Mercedes being so dominant because it is bad for the sport to see them in front every week.

I feel that this makes Red Bull seem like sore losers as they spent the last couple of years finding innovative ways to be in front of the rest of the field and did not have any problems doing so. Formula 1 is supposed to be about competition and building the best car and engine combination you can. Mercedes has done that right now and should be rewarded as Red Bull did a few years ago and Ferrari did last decade. It should be the job of the teams behind to catch up and not for Mercedes to fall back. If the sport decides to bring the Mercedes back as Red Bull are calling for it would make it look like there is no point in trying to gain a competitive advantage as you will lose that advantage shortly after you get it. This is not how Formula 1 should be ran but there does need to be a better way for other teams to catch up.

The problem about this in which I agree with Red Bull is that it is now more difficult for teams to catch up because of restrictions in the regulations now. Formula 1 should also be about pushing development and creating new innovative ideas that give you a competitive edge. This should be able to be done in both the chassis and the engine. Right now it is very difficult to do so. If the regulations were more open it would be possible for someone to catch Mercedes by the end of the year and maybe put a challenge together. As is is right now there is very little development that can be done on the engines throughout the rest of the year and it is very likely Mercedes will be this dominant all season.

Red Bull is also complaining about the cost of Formula 1 as well. This is another thing that I agree needs to be changed. Formula 1 has always been expensive but with the new engine regulations costs have gone through the roof and it seems as there are rumors every week about teams struggling to make it. If nothing is changed the 15 cars we saw start in Melbourne could become normal which would not be good for the sport at all. Whether it is finding a new engine formula or a way to control costs with the current engines something needs to be done sooner rather than later.

Overall I think that Red Bull will not go through with quitting the sport. I think they are trying to use the threat to get certain changes in the rule as Ferrari has done many times. Formula 1 knows that at this time it cannot let big teams walk away as they are having difficulty filling up the grid unless they have a new one coming. Expect in the end for this whole situation being resolved by a few tweaks to the rules which will satisfy both sides.

Do you think Red Bull will end up quitting the sport? Do you agree with what Red Bull are saying? Please share your thoughts in the comments section below.