Mateschitz worried about Renault’s F1 commitment

Dietrich Mateschitz on Monday admitted he is worried about Renault’s long-term commitment to formula one.

In an interview with the Austrian newspaper Salzburger Nachrichten, the Red Bull energy drinks mogul played down claims his Milton Keynes based F1 team could now become the French carmaker’s works partner.

"I doubt it, because I suspect Renault does not intend to be in formula one for so long," said the 63-year-old billionaire.

Although the Renault F1 Team for now retains its name and identity, the French carmaker has essentially withdrawn from F1, selling a major stake in its British based outfit to the Luxembourg based private equity firm Genii Capital.

Renault also supplies its 2.4 litre V8 engine to Red Bull Racing, even though Mateschitz’s team looked into switching to Mercedes power for 2011.

"That Renault does not have a long-term connection is for us a little bit of an uncertainty," he added.