Ecclestone trying to broker Renault deal for Red Bull

Red Bull is facing a crisis over its engines for 2016, after Mercedes and Ferrari made it clear that they are not in a position to give it power units for next year.

With Honda also unable to expand its supply deal, the only option left on the table if Red Bull is not to walk away is to try to convince Renault to stay as supplier for another year.

Such a deal would then give Red Bull breathing space to sort out the deal it wants with Ferrari for 2017.

Motorsport.com has learned that Renault is resistant to such an idea, having faced a barrage of criticism from Red Bull prior to the notification from the team that it wanted to terminate the contract.

However, Ecclestone has now stepped into the situation to try to broker a deal that will ensure the F1 grid is full next year.

Historical status

Sources suggest that Renault has been told its wish to secure a prize money boost for the return of its works team will be granted if it agrees to provide Red Bull engines should it be required.

Renault has been locked in talks with Ecclestone for several weeks now trying to convince the sport's owners to agree to an increase of commercial rights income for its historical contribution to F1.

So far, its hopes have not been successful, but the Red Bull situation, and Ecclestone's desire to find a solution, could help edge an agreement forward.

Full grid in 2016

Ecclestone himself has been involved in a series of meetings over the Russian GP weekend to try to sort out the Red Bull engine situation amid fears that the teams could be pulled out of F1.

The possibility of the Renault solution could have prompted some optimistic remarks Ecclestone made to reporters about the engine situation.

"Everything's been sorted out so I wouldn't worry about it," he said. "We don't want them to drop out. I think they have sorted it all out now."

A continuation of the relationship between Red Bull and Renault would be a dramatic U-turn for both parties after an acrimonious few months, but it could offer the only short term solution to help secure both their longer term ambitions.

Additional reporting by Franco Nugnes