Amidst Red Bull's ongoing problems with Renault, Ferrari chairman Sergio Marchionne appeared to throw the Austrian team a lifeline yesterday with the offer of an engine supply.

I have a lot of respect for Red Bull," he told reporters ahead of the Grand Prix. "I think they've done a lot for the sport, they've had the world championship for a number of years. I think they will find their way again and if we can help them get there, we'd be more than glad to do it."

Red Bull used the Italian team's engines (as they were known back then) for one season (2006) before establishing the relationship with Renault, which at that time was also enjoying title-winning success as a constructor.

In 2007, Red Bull passed on its contract with Ferrari to its newly established sister team Toro Rosso, which, like Red Bull, had used Cosworth power plants during its inaugural season.

Told of the offer from Ferrari yesterday, Red Bull team boss Christian Horner appeared less than impressed.

"That's very kind of Sergio, but we have a contract with Renault for next year," he told Sky Sports F1, "I'm sure he would be very happy to give us an engine.

"Red Bull was a customer of Ferrari for eight years with Toro Rosso so there is a long history between the two companies of knowing how each other operate," he added with a wry grin.

In a separate interview with the German media, the Briton suggested that other than the cost of the Ferrari units, Red Bull would not be happy as a customer of a rival.

"I think it's unlikely that, as a customer team, you could go all the way to the top, because you would always be receiving an inferior engine," he is quoted as saying.