Mercedes F1 boss Toto Wolff will not completely rule out supplying Red Bull in the future, despite the historical animosity between the two camps.
Red Bull has a contract with Renault to the end of 2016, as well as a sponsorship deal with Renault-associated brand Infiniti that runs to the same date. However, both the team and engine supplier have been casting around for alternative partners as their relationship has deteriorated.
Ferrari boss Sergio Marchionne indicated in Austria that he would be willing to supply RBR, but a similar offer from Mercedes seemed unlikely given that Dietrich Mateschitz is no fan of the Stuttgart manufacturer. In addition, the top Mercedes management was angered when RBR left other teams in the lurch and signed its own financial deal with Bernie Ecclestone in 2012.
Niki Lauda said that there had been no discussions with Red Bull, but Wolff indicated that he would be open to the idea if RBR found itself stuck for an engine.
"There are many things to be considered," he said. "What happens if Renault decides to have their own team and buy another team, will they continue to supply Toro Rosso and Red Bull? Who is going to supply them in order to stay in the sport? What does it means for us?
"Until now they were the enemy. Maybe there is a new enemy. What does it mean in the great scheme of things with politics and the balance of things? So there are no discussions - no discussions ongoing - nothing has been started. But you need to consider all the options."
Over the Silverstone weekend there were suggestions that Aston Martin could be in the loop with a sponsorship deal similar to that operated by Infiniti, and which could help RBR land the Mercedes deal. The current Aston Martin management team was responsible for the Infiniti deal. The sports car company has also been talking to other teams in the paddock, but realistically it can only bring a modest budget.
Meanwhile, RBR boss Christian Horner tried to downplay the rumors: "The fact is that we've got a contract with Infiniti and a contract with Renault to the end of 2016. Anything beyond the end of that agreement is pure speculation.
"Last week it was Ferrari, this week it's Aston Martin, next week it will probably be Honda or Lamborghini. There's a lot of speculation at the moment. We've got a contract with Infiniti - we have a very good relationship with Infiniti - and anything beyond the end of 2016 is purely speculative at the moment."
