Renault "very confident" of engine performance gains

McLaren chiefs have revealed that Renault is confident that it has made satisfactory gains on the power unit for 2018. After three disappointing years with Honda, McLaren will run with Renault power on a multi-year deal in search of improved results.

Renault, who will also be supplying its factory team and Red Bull with engines, struggled throughout 2017. Its power output failed to match Mercedes and Ferrari and there were numerous reliability issues throughout the season, causing a public falling-out with Toro Rosso towards the end of the season.

Despite the issues with the power unit, Red Bull managed to claim three victories and a further ten podiums. McLaren's executive director Zak Brown admits that there are no alarm bells ringing and that things are looking positive as the season inches closer.

"There are no alarm bells ringing. They seem to be very confident – although it is best that they talk about the specifics. In terms of power and reliability, they are happy with where they are at and what has been happening on the dyno.

"And specifically the reliability – they think they are on top of it. Last year they had the power, and it was when they turned it up that the reliability issues kicked in. So they had their issues in Mexico but they also dominated the race, so we are feeling good."

McLaren's chief technical officer Tim Goss added: "They have developed the engine. They have improved it and it will be more powerful.  One of the big challenges they have got, and all four power unit manufacturers have got, is the change in the sport regulations so there are only three ICEs and three MGU-Hs allowed per driver per season and two ES packs and two MGU-Ks.

"It is a huge task in stretching the mileage of the power units, so a lot of the focus for all the power unit manufacturers has been making sure they can get the extra mileage as opposed to just chasing performance."