Renault Tag

By Adam Tate, Managing Editor The recent rumors of Pastor Maldonado leaving Lotus/Renault have been confirmed today. The Grand Prix winner made the announcement via social media with the following statement: “Today with the utmost humility I inform you that I will not be present at the starting grid for the 2016 F1 season. Thanks for all your messages of support, passion and concern for my future.” It has yet to be confirmed if ex-McLaren man Kevin Magnussen will replace him, but sources expect a Magnussen announcement alongside Renault’s launch of theirRead More

By Adam Tate, Managing Editor With the Venezuelan economy in tatters and his reputation at an all time low, it was only a matter of time before oil giant PDVSA pulled the plug on Pastor Maldonado’s backing. It now appears the writing is on the wall and the F1 rumor mill is going full tilt, pointing directly to ex-McLaren man Kevin Magnussen. With PDVSA’s financial backing run dry, Maldonado’s options to remain in F1 for a sixth season seems slight at best. Meanwhile, Magnussen will be inheriting a lead driver roleRead More

By Adam Tate, Managing Editor Formula One’s four engine manufacturer’s: Mercedes, Ferrari, Renault and Honda, have finally agreed to a season cost cap for their customer teams after months of speculation, argument and strife. The soon to be announced deal comes on the heels of two days of meeting in Geneva for the Strategy Group and the F1 Commission. The plan proposed by the engine manufacturer’s calls for a cost cap of €12,000,000 per season for each of their customer teams. It is a significant reduction compared to current costs which haveRead More

In an extraordinary move of empathy, hard nosed McLaren-Honda boss Ron Dennis has reportedly blocked Red Bull Racing from securing Honda power units for 2016. Despite assurances from Christian Horner that, “quitting is not an option” Red Bull’s predicament looks even worse than the weather in Austin this weekend. After having the door shut in their face by Mercedes and then Ferrari, Ron Dennis may be putting the final nail in the coffin of F1’s youngest super power. Supplying another team with engines for next season could stretch issue plaguedRead More

Red Bull Racing will end its longtime relationship with engine supplier Renault, at the end of the season, according to AUTOSPORT. Since the introduction of the V6 turbo era in Formula 1, Renault has had an array of performance and reliability issues that has led to a tumultuous relationship with the Milton Keynes-based squad. Red Bull’s contract with the French manufacturer was set to expire at the end of the 2016 season, with long-standing rumors that the team could break the contract without penalty due to performance issues. Both DanielRead More

Reigning F1 world champion Lewis Hamilton does not believe Mercedes should not supply engines to Red Bull Racing. Red Bull Racing currently has a contract with Renault as its supplier till the end of 2016, but the team wants to expire that agreement a year early to the end of this season. Renault has struggled in Formula 1 since the inception of the V6 turbo era. With Lotus changing from Renault last season to Mercedes power this year – a move that saw the team grab its first podium inRead More

Formula One weaves a tangled web – as per multiple reports, the much rumored buyout of Lotus F1 Team by Renault is set to commence. Renault group CEO Carlos Ghosn and his board have signed off on a deal that now only needs the approval of Lotus to be set in motion. The plan will have the French automotive giant acquire a 65 percent stake in the F1 team that just seven years ago was 100 percent under their control. Gerard Lopez will remain in the picture with a largeRead More

Red Bull Racing boss Christian Horner does not expect any power unit upgrades from Renault until Formula One goes to Sochi for the Russian Grand Prix. The lack of upgrades hurts both Red Bull Racing and Toro Rosso as the pair will have to race at Spa, Monza, Singapore and Suzuka before any performance improvements. As it stands, Renault has 12 development tokens remaining to use with expectations they will improve the V6 and turbo. The upgrades would only come into play for the final five races on the calendar.Read More

The nascent Formula One season is only four races in and Daniel Ricciardo’s Red Bull has already used up three Renault engines. The 2015 Rule book mandates just four engines per driver this season, with additional engine changes resulting in grid penalties. It is clear after Bahrain that the Red Bull has pace, Ricciardo claimed a comfortable 6th place but did so coasting after his engine let go in spectacular fashion. What isn’t clear is the root of the issue and a deep fissure has developed between Red Bull and Renault,Read More