Breaking news
Formula 1
Horner "concerned" by Renault 2018 F1 engine plan
Red Bull boss Christian Horner says he is concerned Formula 1 engine supplier Renault will start the 2018 season in a compromised specification for reliability.
Lawrence Barretto
Edited: Feb 26, 2018, 3:48 PM
Copy link
Share on Viber
Conscious of the new-for-this-season three-engine limit, Renault F1 managing director Cyril Abiteboul said the firm wants to take a zero risk approach to reliability.
But with Mercedes telling Motorsport.com late last year that it is close to producing a engine that can deliver a power output of 1000bhp, Horner suspects the four-time reigning world champion team could be "mighty".
"It is a concern," when asked by Motorsport.com for his response to Abiteboul's comments.
“If the headline figures Mercedes have quoted [are real] then the gap will only broaden. Renault have their own team now, they have their own demands they need to meet.
"Reliability has been a big priority for Renault over the winter.
"They have completed more mileage than they have done in this V6 era so they are coming into this year better prepared and hopefully that will allow focus to start to centre on performance.
"We're hopeful of seeing more performance and performance converging between engine manufacturers."
Horner added he "did not think it would be great" if Mercedes dominated F1 for another year.
"It just emphasises why engine regulations need to be clarified this year for 2021," he added. "The problem is if we go past the midyear, then manufacturers will say there is not enough time for 2021 so there is a lot of positioning going on at the moment.
"It's crucial the commercial rights holder and the FIA come out with a clear positioning and regulations, particularly on the engine, by the middle of this year."
Last year, Renault was working to end its supply deal with Red Bull at the end of 2018 as part of the fall-out of Toro Rosso's divorce from Renault.
But Horner said 2018 was "not necessarily" the last year it would be supplied with Renault, which it has worked with since the start of 2007.
He added: "All things are open for 2019 onwards. We will play close attention to how things develop at Toro Rosso but there is no preconceptions as we head into the season."
He added Renault could "absolutely" supply Red Bull next season.
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article Everyone jostling for position as first day of 2018 F1 testing gets underway
Next article Ricciardo ends opening day of Barcelona testing on top
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Lawrence Barretto
Rowland to test Super Formula car this month
Super Formula
Super Formula Mar 1, 2018
Rowland to test Super Formula car this month
Sirotkin, Stroll to have two race engineers each
Formula 1
Formula 1 Feb 28, 2018
Sirotkin, Stroll to have two race engineers each
Hamilton "sacrifice" saved Mercedes an hour of testing
Formula 1
Formula 1 Feb 27, 2018
Hamilton "sacrifice" saved Mercedes an hour of testing
More from
Red Bull Racing
“I was getting beat up” – How Daniel Ricciardo burned out on ‘humiliating’ F1 return
Formula 1
Formula 1 1 d
“I was getting beat up” – How Daniel Ricciardo burned out on ‘humiliating’ F1 return
Latest news
The ten closest finishes from the 2026 NASCAR season
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup 12 h
The ten closest finishes from the 2026 NASCAR season
‘Lewis suspected a conspiracy’ – Nico Rosberg explains how Lewis Hamilton F1 rivalry went awry at Mercedes
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1 13 h
‘Lewis suspected a conspiracy’ – Nico Rosberg explains how Lewis Hamilton F1 rivalry went awry at Mercedes
BMW "proud of what we achieved" after securing runner-up in 2026 WEC
WEC
WEC WEC
Monza
14 h
BMW "proud of what we achieved" after securing runner-up in 2026 WEC
The numbers that reveal how sprint races have turned the MotoGP title fight upside down
MotoGP
MGP MotoGP
Qatar GP
16 h
The numbers that reveal how sprint races have turned the MotoGP title fight upside down
Feature
Discover prime content
Top 10 F1 cars of the 1970s
Formula 1
By Kevin Turner
Top 10 F1 cars of the 1970s
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe