Mercedes boss Toto Wolff says the German manufacturer opted against a Red Bull engine deal because it did not want to undo the work which has gone into the team's current F1 dominance.
Red Bull is looking for a new engine supplier as it moves towards an early divorce with Renault and had hoped to secure a Mercedes deal for next season. However, Red Bull is now in talks with Ferrari after Mercedes ruled out supplying one of its main rivals with a competitive power unit.
Reigning world champion Lewis Hamilton had publicly voiced his apprehension at the notion of Mercedes supplying Red Bull with engines, saying it could not do so if it was serious about continuing to win world championships. Wolff says that thinking was shared by the Mercedes board of directors.
Speaking to the official Formula One website, Wolff explained: "We decided with our board that we as an engine supplier - and as a team - have worked hard and long to achieve the success we have today, after taking the decision to enter the sport again as a works team in 2010. Therefore we decided two weeks ago against exploring an engine supply to Red Bull. We wish to continue with our model to support independent, privateer racing teams - and to respect the relationships we already have in place with our customers - alongside our primary focus on the Mercedes works team."
Wolff says he has a responsibility to the Mercedes-Benz brand and to the employees on the company payroll.
"I have never hidden my opinion. But we take decisions collectively and objectively, evaluating all the pros and cons, and not as individuals. It is the opinion of somebody who is responsible for the Mercedes motorsport program, responsible for 1,200 employees and who also has the responsibility to represent the Mercedes-Benz brand in the right way in Formula One - and to make sure it is represented in the right way by others, too. Full stop!"