Dietrich Mateschitz has once again refused to rule out Red Bull producing its own engine for formula one.

The team’s collaboration with Renault has deepened with the new sponsorship by luxury Nissan brand and sponsor Infiniti, but owner Mateschitz said the new rules for 2013 means the idea of Red Bull making its own engine is "no longer so absurd".

In recent years, Red Bull has admitted its concerns that the Renault engine is not up to speed with Ferrari and Mercedes.

Austrian billionaire Mateschitz told Der Standard newspaper: "It is not our intention to be an engine manufacturer, and we hope we will always have the opportunity to acquire competitive engines.

"On the other hand, one should never say never," he added.