Red Bull boss says Renault's move to buy own team proving positive
Friday 8 April 2016 09:55, UK
Christian Horner says Red Bull's relationship with Renault is "much improved" and the French manufacturer's return to team ownership has given them their "desire and impetus back".
A split between Red Bull and Renault had appeared inevitable during most of last season amid a series of fractious public fallouts, before a late U-turn resulted in the two parties realigning their relationship and continuing for 2016.
Renault also ramped up their F1 involvement by buying back the Lotus team and Horner believes that commitment has helped accelerate their previously stuttering engine programme.
"The relationship is much improved over the winter," the Red Bull team boss told Sky Sports F1.
"I think genuine progress is really being made and the difference now is Renault have got their own team and they've got that desire and impetus back."
Despite Renault still spending the fewest development tokens of F1's four manufacturers over the winter, apparent improvements to their power unit have helped Red Bull make a more encouraging start to the new season, with back-to-back fourth-placed finishes.
Standings: Constructors' Championship
A big engine upgrade is expected for the Canadian GP in June and Horner added: "We are seeing progress. The work they are doing with Mario Illien seems to be going well and there's a really different feel around the progress that's being made."
The battle scars of recent seasons are still evident by the fact the Renault engine in Red Bull's car does not carry the French manufacturer's name, instead that of new sponsor Tag Heuer,
Speaking to the official F1 website, Horner confirmed: "They are both the same [spec of engine]. They are identical. Whatever Renault benefit from also goes for the TAG Heuer-badged engine."
Red Bull owner Dietrich Mateschitz threatened on several occasions last year to pull his two teams out of F1 as they courted alternative engine suppliers, before giving the green light to the revised Renault deal for the senior squad.
And although the former world champions last won a race in August 2014, Horner added: "Dietrich's will is very consistent since day one: he wants to compete - and compete for victories. He understands the situation that we have - that we have a great team and that we are fighting back. That process has started this year."
