Red Bull deny engine change deadline

Red Bull insist Renault’s imposing May engine deadline is non existent.

Before testing began it was reported that Renault had given Red Bull until May to decide if they wish to continue their partnership for the 2019 season.

Red Bull’s sister team have switched to a Honda engine for this season sparking expectation that Red Bull are to follow suit in the next few years.

In the hunt to be the best, Christian Horner believes that the current Renault engine is limiting their own performance.

Horner said: “We will have to see how it goes this year, but whenever we have a power deficit, we have to try to compensate with the car.”

The rule changes state that for 2018, teams may only use three engines per car down from four last season.

Horner went on to say: “It will be interesting to see who uses only three, but even if the regulations were more lax, the order of performance would not change.

“The problem is that this generation of engine regulations is not as good for Renault as it has been for Mercedes and Ferrari.

Regarding the May deadline that Renault bosses appeared to set, Horner responded: “What we understand is that May is when you have to give indication to the FIA but that does not mean a commitment.

“It will be decided at the end of the summer. That’s the realistic timing of when the decision has to be made.”

“Honda has had a fantastic start with Toro Rosso, obviously we’re in a good position to keep an eye on their progress in the first half of the year.

“We’re going to follow it with great interest.”