German car giant Volkswagen is close to securing a deal to take over Red Bull Racing, according to former F1 boss Eddie Jordan.
Speaking to the BBC, where Jordan is a chief analyst, the Irishman stated that: “(Martin) Winterkorn has agreed the deal with Mateschitz and the drinks giant’s Motorsports adviser Helmut Marko”.
The potential deal will be a major U-turn for the world’s largest car firm, after previously stating that they had no interest in entering Formula One.
However, with the four-time constructors champions heading their separate ways with engine supplier Renault, it seems Martin Winterkorn has convinced other directors that a deal for one of the best existing teams out there would be financially viable for the German company.
It is not known which brand VW will choose to race under should the deal go through. However, with such luxury brands as Lamborghini and Bugatti; as well as marques with recent motorsport success in the form of Bentley and Audi, the Wolfsburg-based firm will be spoilt for choice.
Nonetheless, one certainty will be that should VW buy Red Bull then that team will run on Ferrari power until VW can produce and engine of their own.
With Mercedes-Benz reluctant to give a championship rival its superb engine, and Honda’s woes expected to continue for another year, the path seems clear for the team to run on Italian power once again.
Even if the VW deal falls through, Red Bull boss Dietrich Mateschitz is adamant the team will seek a reunion with the Maranello based team.
Speaking to his own website Speedweek, Mateschitz stated that Ferrari engines would be “a very acceptable solution for the next two or three years”, however, the 71-year-old was adamant that no deal has been agreed as of yet.
