FORUMula1.com - F1 Forum

[McLaren Fan]

From autosport.com:

By Gerhard Kuntschik and Pablo Elizalde Tuesday, November 3rd 2009, 16:14 GMT

Red Bull Racing looks set to continue using Renault engines in the 2010 season, after ruling out a possible switch to Mercedes power units.

The Milton Keynes-based squad was chasing the German engines for next season and its hopes of reaching a deal were boosted when F1 rules changed to allow a manufacturer to supply units to four teams.

The delay in reaching a deal, however, has been one of the main reasons why Red Bull now is set to continue with Renault for another year.

The team also believes the Renault unit will be strong next year, when refueling will be banned.

"Since Monza, Renault have remarkably raised their game and done everything they could for us to have such a strong finish of the year", said team boss Christian Horner.

"Renault has fuel-efficient engines which will be very important in 2010."

Mercedes boss Norbert Haug said over the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix weekend that his company was still discussing the viability of supplying another team.

"The approval is there for one year, and it is still in discussion internally. There is no final decision taken," said Haug, who insisted a team could do a good job despite a late decision on engines, as shown by Brawn this year.

"This is probably not the ideal scenario but one thing for sure is that the current world championship winning team got the engine later, and we are not delaying the process," Haug added. "One thing that is proven is that it is possible to get the job done even with a later decision."

[Frosty]

Rumours are that McLaren vetoed the supply of Mercedes engines to Red Bull.

[McLaren Fan]

They are more than rumours. However, full marks to Red Bull, anyway, for attempting to put forward a plausible PR line about Renault's engines improving. Nice try.

[7UpJordan]

I think the Renault engines were ok this year. Sure they don't have the power that the Mercedes does, but it was decent and not way down on power unlike the Toyota engine. Horner makes an excellent point about the Renault being very fuel-efficient and this will be a crucial factor with next season's refueling ban. If we begin to see scenes like Monaco 1982 or Imola 1985 the cars that end up winning may be the Renault powered cars.

I think Red Bull's mechanical failures were more to do with the car than the Renault engine, because the works Renault team hasn't had a problem with engine reliiability this year. It is more down to the fact that Adrian Newey still has his trait of designing fast yet fragile cars - a trait that his cars have carried since his McLaren days.

[Jensonb]

It is more down to the fact that Adrian Newey still has his trait of designing fast yet fragile cars - a trait that his cars have carried since his McLaren days.

Indeed, the only Renault units with any major problems were on the Red Bull side, all or most of them Vettel's. The engine can't have been to blame.

[texasmr2]

The Renault engine has been quite fruitfull for Red Bull so I can understand their contract renewal.

[Big Azza]

I'm quite happy this decision.

It's about time they stick with one engine for multiple seasons.

[f1usa]

I think the Renault engines were ok this year. Sure they don't have the power that the Mercedes does, but it was decent and not way down on power unlike the Toyota engine. Horner makes an excellent point about the Renault being very fuel-efficient and this will be a crucial factor with next season's refueling ban. If we begin to see scenes like Monaco 1982 or Imola 1985 the cars that end up winning may be the Renault powered cars.

I think Red Bull's mechanical failures were more to do with the car than the Renault engine, because the works Renault team hasn't had a problem with engine reliiability this year. It is more down to the fact that Adrian Newey still has his trait of designing fast yet fragile cars - a trait that his cars have carried since his McLaren days.

I don't see the Renault engine being down on power or Mercedes engine being superior. (Merc. engine more bullet-proof) What I have seen in 09 is closest engine parity in recent memory with the variable being diffusers, aero, tires and brakes. I believe Brawn GP and Jenson could have won both titles with Renault power, the performance of Red Bull/Renault is a good example.

[scotty]

Rumours are that McLaren vetoed the supply of Mercedes engines to Red Bull.

They are more than rumours.

Apparently not.

Red Bull set to extend Renault deal

Red Bull Racing looks set to continue using Renault engines in the 2010 season, after ruling out a possible switch to Mercedes power units.

The Milton Keynes-based squad was chasing the German engines for next season and its hopes of reaching a deal were boosted when F1 rules changed to allow a manufacturer to supply units to four teams.

The delay in reaching a deal, however, has been one of the main reasons why Red Bull now is set to continue with Renault for another year.

The team also believes the Renault unit will be strong next year, when refueling will be banned.

"Since Monza, Renault have remarkably raised their game and done everything they could for us to have such a strong finish of the year", said team boss Christian Horner.

"Renault has fuel-efficient engines which will be very important in 2010."

Mercedes boss Norbert Haug said over the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix weekend that his company was still discussing the viability of supplying another team.

"The approval is there for one year, and it is still in discussion internally. There is no final decision taken," said Haug, who insisted a team could do a good job despite a late decision on engines, as shown by Brawn this year.

"This is probably not the ideal scenario but one thing for sure is that the current world championship winning team got the engine later, and we are not delaying the process," Haug added. "One thing that is proven is that it is possible to get the job done even with a later decision."

[Frosty]

Well I'm not sure because this is what I found.

Red Bull will continue to use Renault engines in 2010, after contemplating switching to Mercedes or Cosworth.

Mercedes' exclusive F1 partner McLaren reportedly vetoed the proposed collaboration with Red Bull, and changing to Cosworth was reportedly deemed too great a risk in terms of the power, reliability and fuel efficiency of the returning supplier's V8 unit.

Auto Motor und Sport reports that the decision was made shortly before the 2009 season finale.

"We have got good foundations," team boss Christian Horner said in Abu Dhabi.
"We have been well supported by Renault as you don't win races and achieve the kind of results we have had without great support from your engine supplier.”

Source: GMM
© CAPSIS International

[headless]

Room to improve, but a decent engine really.

[darwin dali]

I'm intrigued by the supposed fuel efficiency of the Renault engine. In the light of the new regs next year, this could play a pivotal role in the championship outcome...

[FerrariFan63]

"Since Monza, Renault have remarkably raised their game and done everything they could for us to have such a strong finish of the year", said team boss Christian Horner.

And this during an engine freeze

[Tony_sa]

"Since Monza, Renault have remarkably raised their game and done everything they could for us to have such a strong finish of the year", said team boss Christian Horner.

And this during an engine freeze

maybe they found what went wrong like merc did....

[McLaren Fan]

Mercedes might be considering supplying another team, but which one? If it is one of the newer teams, McLaren are unlikely to care. Red Bull, however, could be a potential title threat next season for McLaren, so vetoing plans to give them a supply of what is the best engine on the grid seems prudent.