By Ian Lockwood
April 12 2006

Dietrich Mateschitz has clarified that Red Bull Racing are not a "Guinea Pig" for Ferrari engines, and neither is it true that Red Bull will always have a lower specification engine than the Ferrari works cars.

Christian Horner was reported to have grumbled about being a "Guinea Pig" following Coulhards engine failure on the slow down lap in Bahrain.

The Red Bull Racing team uses the same Ferrari Engines as the works team and has a deal that lasts until the end of 2007, although it was widely believed that the team was always one development step behind the Maranello squad.

Speaking to "Motorsport Aktuell" Mateschitz clarified the situation: "It is not true that we are always a step behind, but Schumacher and Massa and perhaps their reserve car come first"

Mateschitz also played down rumours of a future link up with Volkswagen/Audi. ''Cooperating with a manufacturer would be good, but in 2008, 2009 and 2010 it will be less important than in the past. So it will not be so crucial to whether you can win that you get your engine through a partnership, rather than simply buying.''

He also added that Volkswagen and Audi are unlikely to get involved in F1 any time soon.