Renault has insisted that all three teams under its supply will receive the same spec power unit despite admitting that it is optimised for BP products.
The French oil company Total supplied Red Bull and Renault supplied both teams last year, but have since ceased its Formula 1 operation.
For 2017 Red Bull and Toro Rosso will be using fuel and lubricants by Exxonmobil with Mobil 1 and Esso branding, while Renault will be using a BP/Castrol combination.
Speaking to German publication Auto Motor und Sport as quoted by GPupdate.net, Renault’s managing director Cyril Abiteboul stated: “Renault’s power unit has been developed for BP and Castrol, our partner.
“But we have made sure that the engine will also work with Exxon Mobil’s fuel and oil, for Red Bull and Toro Rosso – there is no extra work in the development.”
Fuel and lubricants have become such an integral part of the modern power unit in an effort to maximise efficiency, extracting the most power from the least amount of fuel possible.
Abiteboul also believes that 1000 horsepower units will be eventually possible as they aim to challenge Mercedes and Ferrari with the team’s latest efforts.
“Renault’s engine will be the same for all three teams,” added Abiteboul
“I think the top performance will be between 900 and 950 horsepower in 2017.
“The teams that count on 1000 horsepower are maybe being a bit too optimistic. I don’t think even Mercedes will do it. But this figure is definitely achievable within the current regulations.
“We have some radical concepts in the pipeline, but not for 2017.”
Comments.
Loading comments…