Ricciardo is not too Excited by Renault's New Engine Upgrade
- Published on 02 Oct 2015 06:23
-
- By: Harry Shovelar
Renault will use their first load of tokens for this year on a new upgraded engine, which will be available to it's two customers - Red Bull and Toro Rosso. Ricciardo however, is not giving the impression that the engine will give them the edge that is needed to return to the very top.
"We'll take what we can get,"
"It's not going to be 40 horsepower."
"It's better than what we've got now, but I wouldn't get too crazy about it."
"I'll take it, but I don't think it's going to be worth half a second."
The engine update expected to be debuted back in SPA, and then it got moved to Russia, but now Renault are confident it will be available from the US Grand Prix - which is two races away. If both teams do choose to take it, it will mean they will incur a Grid Place Penalty, which would more than likely put them to the back of the grid.
1
Replies (6)
Login to replycalle.itw
Posts: 8,527
I dont think both teams will take it at the same time. Renault really introduced these changes too late to make any serious difference anyway. Renault hasnt released a single upgrade this entire season. Basically every engine supplier has spent all of their tokens, and even if Honda has the worst PU on the grid currently, they've at least released a steady flow of upgrades for it under the season.
And by the way: Renault sit on 12 tokens, and it is believed that they wont use up all of them, even with this belated package. Will Renault keep the leftover tokens for next year, or will the unused tokens be wasted?
Dr Red Bull
Posts: 41
I don't think this year's tokens carry over?
Ramshoek2
Posts: 1,579
Tokens can't be carried over to the new year. Spending them this year is of course wise.
I think it is possible to introduce an update purely on the basis of the (undoubtedly extensive) paperwork. So Renault could bring an update to Texas and spend the remaining tokens on an update for the final race of this season. These PU's will be homologated even if RedBull decide Not to run it. (although not testing them is far from ideal)
khasmir
Posts: 893
IF, the updated PU is introduced in the US then it should last till the end of the season. IF it's reliable enough... So if Renault does not use all their tokens for this update there is little chance there will be another update this season. And if there is, I doubt either RB or TR will want to use another PU and get even more penalties.
Austin is do or die time for Renault...
khasmir
Posts: 893
Most likely it will be too little, too late.
Every token not spend this year is a missed opportunity to catch up with Merc and Ferrari.
This way they will be on the back foot again for next year.
boudy
Posts: 1,168
Yep Renault has not been improving their pu extensively this year. If they run their own team next year they can't afford to not be competitive. They have let themselve down this year. Still believe that they can build a world beating engine. However the smart money is on merc again next year.