Jos Verstappen: Red Bull and Toro Rosso Set for Ferrari Power in 2016
Jos Verstappen expects both Red Bull Racing and Toro Rosso to switch to Ferrari engines after the breakdown of the Renault partnership, citing ongoing reliability frustrations.
Jos Verstappen believes Red Bull Racing and Toro Rosso will run Ferrari engines in 2016, following the collapse of Red Bull’s relationship with Renault. Verstappen, writing in his De Telegraaf column, said the move was now “obvious” after a season marred by engine failures and public recriminations between Red Bull and its French supplier.
The 2015 Formula One season saw Red Bull’s patience with Renault wear thin. Persistent power unit issues left both Red Bull teams frustrated, while Renault CEO Carlos Ghosn complained the manufacturer received criticism in defeat and little credit during Red Bull’s championship years. Verstappen acknowledged Ghosn’s point but argued that Mercedes’ investment and performance had simply outstripped Renault’s efforts in the turbo-hybrid era.
Why Red Bull lost faith in Renault
Red Bull’s public criticism of Renault intensified as the season progressed. Verstappen pointed to a lack of progress on reliability and performance, suggesting the issue was not just technical but also a matter of how both sides handled pressure and expectations. Despite past successes, the partnership had become untenable by late 2015.
With no sign of a breakthrough, speculation in the Singapore paddock turned to Ferrari as the most likely new supplier for both Red Bull and Toro Rosso. Verstappen wrote that a switch to Ferrari power would give Red Bull an advantage over Toro Rosso due to its larger budget, but said he remained confident in Toro Rosso’s technical strength regardless of engine supply.
What Ferrari supply means for Red Bull and Toro Rosso
Ferrari’s willingness to supply engines follows months of speculation and overtures from Red Bull management. While the customer deal is not expected to match Ferrari’s own works team in terms of specification or development pace, it offers both Red Bull teams a route to remain competitive after Renault’s exit. The move also ends uncertainty for drivers like Max Verstappen, who has suffered multiple engine-related retirements during his rookie season at Toro Rosso.
