While stating that Red Bull is still Renault’s “premium team”, Christian Horner sounds like he’s running out of patience, despite having clear goals.
Unfortunately for Red Bull, they can only do so much with the car itself. Right now, it’s up to Renault to have a breakthrough and increase engine performance up to or near Ferrari and Mercedes levels.
Separating after more than 8 years together is tough, ask any couple. As for Red Bull and Renault, it wouldn’t be pretty either, especially after such a rich history where they managed to win four Drivers’ and Constructors’ Championships together.
But with their contract running out in 2016, Red Bull are faced with a very important decision. They definitely don’t want to walk away from their partnership with Renault, but they can’t commit to more years of mediocrity either.
Since walking away from Formula 1 isn’t exactly a pretty scenario, it’s no wonder the team (and Christian Horner in particular) is pushing the French manufacturer to deliver a much improved power unit.
“They [Renault] have no choice for themselves, they have to turn it around,” said Horner. “We really need to see a good direction in the second half of the year that will carry a development theme into next year.”
“We have a very clear situation with Renault until the end of next year irrelevant to the choices they make next year. Renault is aware of that so I think the most fundamental thing for both us and Renault is to address and reduce the deficit to Mercedes and Ferrari power units.”
If Red Bull continues to deliver the way they did in Hungary, then maybe looking ahead positively wouldn’t be naive at all. Renault does need to make sure that the engines are competitive when the fast tracks come around (such as Belgium or Italy).
“Whatever they do they need a competitive engine and we have an agreement that clearly states we are the premium team. Whatever they do doesn’t really affect us.”
For these two motorsport giants, the clock is definitely ticking.
Story references: planetf1
PHOTO GALLERY
