Bernie Ecclestone doesn't believe Red Bull owner Dietrich Mateschitz is serious about quitting F1 despite recent threats.
Mateschitz warned his team is losing "desire and motivation" in F1 amid Renault's struggles, having been unable to even challenge for a podium so far this season. However, when asked if he believes Red Bull will quit the sport, Ecclestone replied: "I don’t think so.
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"I know Mr Mateschitz very well and there would be more chance of him pulling out if he was winning than when he was losing.
"It doesn’t mean it’s because he’s falling out of love [with F1], he wants a divorce. He just needs a new girlfriend, that’s all."
However, Ecclestone – who met with Mateschitz in the Austria paddock on Friday – also doesn't believe the threats are aimed at getting a response from Renault.
"No, I think Renault understand. It really doesn’t matter how much money you have got. If we were in the jungle or somewhere really bad and we had all the money in the world, it’s no good a guy saying, 'We know we need a doctor for our heart' and a guy says, 'I know a good dentist'. It doesn’t help. They’re looking for a competitive engine."