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Renault plans 30 hp engine step for Canada

Published on 17 Apr 2018 13:16
13
By: Rob Veenstra

Renault is preparing to take a step forward with its engine in the coming races. As well as its works team, the French manufacturer supplies engines to Red Bull and McLaren but is still lagging behind Mercedes and Ferrari.

But Spain's AS newspaper reports that a performance step is planned for the Canadian grand prix in June, although single units might be available by Monaco. "According to informed sources, the improvement will be about 30 hp, and on a track like Canada, it would be about three tenths per lap," said the report.

AS said the boost would bring Renault up to about 950 hp, while Mercedes and Ferrari are now nudging 1000. Renault boss Cyril Abiteboul said: "If we follow our plan, it will be a while until the second power unit arrives but there will be an evolution of the ICE and also the fuel."

AS also said Honda is planning an upgrade, with the Toro Rosso drivers to get a 40 hp boost in either Canada or France in June. The report read: "According to rumours, Red Bull have told Honda that the condition of using their power unit next season is that it is equal to the Renault." (GMM)

F1 News Renault Ferrari Mercedes McLaren Honda

Replies (13)

calle.itw

Posts: 8,527
A fair requirement by Re Bull, I'd say. And its not an impossible ambition either.
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- Apr 17 2018 - 14:22
- mbmwe36
  
  Posts: 533
  It is. Although realistically I think they'll settle for "pretty close" in terms of power. The relationship with Renault has been strained at best in the PU era, and there is also something to be said for being a works team.
  But obviously if Honda is far behind in HP at that time, a switch won't be worth it.
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  Apr 17 2018 - 15:39
- calle.itw
  
  Posts: 8,527
  I think so too, this is likely not an exact science. And RB's and Renault's relations have deteriorated so much that I think they want nothing more than to part ways. Mind, a 40hp boost for Honda doesnt sound shabby. Especially if it further improves reliability. We need to take into consideration that since the Honda is the smallest and lightest engine on the grid, every increase in power might be worth more compared to the others.
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  Apr 17 2018 - 21:06
michielhimself

Posts: 132
Just like the promises of French troop reinforcements since time immemorial, dropping from 300.000 to 3.000 on the eve of the battle, the extra bhp that will arrive in Canada will unlikely be in the double digits - if prior promises by Renault are anything to go by.
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- Apr 17 2018 - 17:21
- michielhimself
  
  Posts: 132
  And by the same analogy, the Japanese reinforcements will arrive in numbers as promised, but all consist of screaming uncontrollable sword-wielding mad-men with a wish to die swiftly in battle - again if prior promises by Honda are anything to go on :-)
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  Apr 17 2018 - 17:23
- ajpennypacker
  
  Posts: 2,475
  Lol great observations
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  Apr 17 2018 - 18:46
- calle.itw
  
  Posts: 8,527
  Dont get me wrong, Renault has proven to be capable of some good upgrades, I remember the jump of 2016, but they have been very unkeen of having a constant stream of upgrades for their teams, especially since the midpoint of the seasons so far. If they keep that trend up, Honda could very well inch closer or overtake Renault. I dont trust Renault in keeping up their pace as much as Honda in this regard.
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  Apr 17 2018 - 21:09
- michielhimself
  
  Posts: 132
  All in line with the "Now we can fight!" meme, AJPennypacker.
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  Apr 17 2018 - 21:48
mpm001

Posts: 20
yeah, you don't want Ricciardo, he's very demanding, always wants to fly first class private jets, eats too much from the hospitality building, leaving the toilet seat always up. Yeah you don't want him.
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- Apr 17 2018 - 17:47
- denis1304
  
  Posts: 284
  you sure you're commenting under right article
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  Apr 17 2018 - 19:13
FatMike

Posts: 153
Actually the button for the extra hp is already on the steering. Ricciardo found it in fp3, afterburner and all
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- Apr 17 2018 - 21:52
- Ram Samartha
  
  Posts: 1,172
  Yeah that was a sight, the flames coming out the back of that Red Bull! Going to see if I can get a HD shot of that for a background wallpaper.
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  Apr 18 2018 - 18:39
RogerF1

Posts: 501
Maybe they should just reserve the hp uplift for themselves and McL and forget RB - just to please Marko and help him along towards Honda!
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- Apr 18 2018 - 00:09