“Red Bull would stand up in court and say: ‘Yes, we have a commitment, we do, but we haven’t got an engine, ‘” Ecclestone explained to The Independent.
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Red Bull Racing & Toro Rosso have the option of using upgraded Renault power units this weekend in Austin.
Red Bull’s relationship with the French manufacturer has already reached breaking point although the two sides could continue together next season if the team cannot find an alternative.
It is understood Toro Rosso is to switch to a one-year-old spec Ferrari unit for next year, notably with the four engine manufacturers and the FIA recently agreeing to a rule change that would allow such a circumstance for 2016.
That gives Renault two races – with only the season-ending event in Abu Dhabi to follow – to gather as much information as possible and provide a platform ahead of its planned return as a works team in 2016, with its takeover of Lotus still in the pipeline.
“I think we’re down such a chunk (of power) I don’t think we’re going to gain enough initial time to make it up”, said Ricciardo of the upgrade. However, the sport’s chief executive Ecclestone told The Independent: “I don’t think we should get consent from the teams”.
Toro Rosso, who have Spaniard Carlos Sainz and Dutch teenager Max Verstappen, will stick with the old specification to the end of the season. “It’s good enough to finish the year and we have plenty of them”.
The Australian said he was more concerned with ensuring that he was at the wheel of a competitive and well-designed vehicle than he was by the team’s ongoing struggle to secure excellent power units.
“I’m confident I’ll be on the grid”.
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It is seemingly just the latest chapter in the messy divorce between the formerly multiple championship-winning partners, even though rumours suggest key meetings will take place at the scene of this weekend’s USA grand prix.
