Wolff: No Red Bull engine talks yet

BERLIN, Germany - Toto Wolff has put the brakes on runaway speculation about a Mercedes engine deal for Red Bull.

Reports in the last days have indicated that the energy drink owned team will almost certainly split with Renault and link up with German power for 2016.

But with Red Bull and its existing supplier Renault still tied together contractually, Mercedes chief Wolff insists that the media reports are a step ahead of reality.

IMPENDING DIVORCE

Wolff told the Austrian newspaper Kleine Zeitung: "There has not been a single conversation with Red Bull in that direction, although you should in life never say never."

However, any off-the-record talks, or the obvious current negotiations via the media, may become more concrete if - as expected - Red Bull and Renault do announce their impending divorce.

From both sides, every sign is that a split is now inevitable.

Renault CEO Carlos Ghosn is quoted as saying: "When Vettel drove to four world titles, Red Bull illuminated F1. But in the current situation, only the engine is criticised."

FERRARI ENTER ENGINE FRAY

Also criticised, however, is Ferrari's approach to the Red Bull-Renault split, with Sergio Marchionne reportedly only offering a 'B'-version of the marque's power unit to the beleaguered energy drink-owned team.

One insider thinks the Maranello team has missed a trick.

"With a Mercedes-powered Red Bull, the balance of power will change again," the Ferrari insider is quoted by Germany's Auto Bild.

"So the question is 'Why did Ferrari not do everything possible to supply Red Bull with engines themselves?' Now they (Ferrari) just risk being overtaken again."