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Red Bull's F1 future uncertain after day of high drama in Sochi

Red Bull's 2016 engine situation described as 'fluid' with unexpected renewal of vows with Renault not ruled out

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Here's how Red Bull's Friday unfolded in Sochi as Ferrari reportedly decide against supplying the team with engines for 2016, leaving the former champions

Red Bull have held emergency talks with F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone amid mounting uncertainty about the team's future in the sport.

In a remarkable turn of events, a renewal of vows with Renault is now regarded as the most feasible means of the former world champions remaining on the grid in 2016 after Ferrari joined Mercedes in rejecting their request for a supply of engines.

Exasperated with the poor performance of their partners' uncompetitive engines, Red Bull sought to terminate their 2016 deal with Renault two months ago. Since, then, however, their request for an engine supply with Mercedes has been rebuffed while talks with Ferrari have failed to reach a deal.

Having previously warned they would leave the sport unless they secured a competitive supply of engines, Red Bull are currently without an engine supply of any sort for 2016.

"The situation is fluid, there is still a potential for a Ferrari deal and they are back in talks with Renault," reported Sky Sports News HQ's Craig Slater. "But there is also the possibility they will walk away from F1."

'Ferrari won't supply Red Bull'
'Ferrari won't supply Red Bull'

Red Bull's F1 future in limbo after Ferrari 'reject request for engines'

Wary of being depicted as forcing Red Bull - and, by extension, their junior team Toro Rosso - out of the sport, Ferrari have insisted that any refusal to supply the former world champions would be based on logistical reasons.

"They only reached out to us after the Monza race. If the whole thing had happened in June, we would have had enough time to think about collaborating," team boss Maurizio Arrivabene said. "This is not how the F1 works."

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Mercedes, already contracted to supply three customer teams next season, have reiterated that they will not supply their rivals with engines while Honda will continue to exclusively power McLaren in 2016.

"Their only option is to walk away or rebuild bridges with Renault," said Sky Sports F1 pundit Martin Brundle. "Red Bull don't have an engine - I think it's absolutely clear that Ferrari won't and can't supply them with 2016 engines."

Ecclestone has insisted that he still expects 22 cars to be present on the grid next year while Horner told reporters that "negotiations" were ongoing. One possibility is that if Dietrich Mateschitz, the owner of both Red Bull and Toro Rosso, withdraws from F1, Horner would pursue a management buy-out of the Milton Keynes outfit.

What are Red Bull's options?
What are Red Bull's options?

Examining what Red Bull might do next after being rejected by Ferrari

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