Toro Rosso will switch to Renault power for the start of F1’s new V6 engine era in 2014.
That is the claim of the authoritative German specialist publication Auto Motor und Sport, reporting that the Red Bull-owned team will end its long association with supplier Ferrari after the V8 era concludes late next year.
Red Bull Racing, the energy drink’s premier F1 team, is Renault’s ‘works’ partner, running major branding of Renault partner Nissan’s luxury arm Infiniti. And also according to Auto Motor und Sport, “there are rumours Force India will in 2014 change from Mercedes to Ferrari engines”.
The report by journalist Michael Schmidt said the Silverstone based team’s denials so far have “not been energetic enough to make you believe them”. Reportedly, the reason for Toro Rosso and Force India’s decisions could be price, with engine costs rising from about EUR 8 million at present to in some cases over EUR 20m in 2014.
But in Toro Rosso’s case, there is probably a more practical consideration, with parent team Red Bull then able to supply its Faenza based satellite with Renault-compatible gearboxes, KERS and hydraulics from 2014.
Source:GMM
