Red Bull happy with Renault progress
Red Bull team principal, Christian Horner, has praised Renault for its efforts that went into the vastly improved power unit used since the Monaco Grand Prix. The new engine went through a real test in the power track of Montreal and it proved to be a big step forward which makes Red Bull hopeful for the remainder of the season.
Red Bull and Renault had a successful relationship in the ultra-dominant era between 2010 and 2013 which abruptly came to an end with the introduction of the new hybrid V6 engine formula, introduced in 2014.
Renault was unable to make a big impression with its 1.6l V6 engine, leading into a public blame game that brought the partnership to its all-time low. Still, with not much other options open, Red Bull decided to continue with Renault as rebranded TAG Heuer engines.
Renault managed to find considerable improvements, and by introducing their B-spec engine, enabled both Renault powered teams to make a leap ahead. This was confirmed at last weekend's Canadian Grand Prix, a track notorious for being power sensitive.
Qualifying went well for Red Bull Racing, but it was particularly towards the end of the Grand Prix where Verstappen showed the improved potential of the Renault, fending off Nico Rosberg in the final laps.
"A couple of weeks ago Rosberg would have flown past with the help of DRS on the straights. Now we can defend ourselves,” Red Bull team principal Christian Horner highlighted the improvements to auto motor und sport.
"We have only lost 3 tenths. The last version of the engine is like another world."
Horner said the improvement from the engine is impressive.
"We have won 6 km/h compared to what we had before,” Horner estimated the gains.
Despite its progress, Renault still has 21 development tokens in its pocket, the highest amount of all engine suppliers. They look however unable to use all of these this season, given that new engines are limited per season, and separate upgrades usually don't amount for more than 4 tokens.
