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Infinity = Renault. So what engine will they run next year?
Red Bull Racing has confirmed the expected split with title sponsor Infiniti from next season, despite the two parties having a contract that extended into 2016.
It was always unlikely that the Renault-owned brand would continue with RBR given the takeover of Lotus F1, and the fact that under the revised engine supply deal Renault's name is no longer attached to the Red Bull program. Infiniti branding is expected to appear on the Lotus next year.
A team statement said: “Red Bull and Renault have reached a mutual and amicable agreement that will see the French car manufacturer continue to supply the team with engines for the 2016 Formula One season, and this new agreement does not cover any marketing activity for the Renault-Nissan Alliance.”
Infiniti first joined Red Bull in its second World Championship season in 2011, becoming title sponsor two years later.
“We would like to say a big thank you to Infiniti for their contribution to the team since they joined us as a commercial partner in 2011,” said Christian Horner. “They became the title sponsor of the team in 2013 where Infiniti enjoyed greater visibility than any other manufacturer in the sport. We wish them all the best with their plans for the future.”
Infinity = Renault. So what engine will they run next year?
Red Bull Racing has confirmed the expected split with title sponsor Infiniti from next season, despite the two parties having a contract that extended into 2016.
It was always unlikely that the Renault-owned brand would continue with RBR given the takeover of Lotus F1, and the fact that under the revised engine supply deal Renault's name is no longer attached to the Red Bull program. Infiniti branding is expected to appear on the Lotus next year.
A team statement said: “Red Bull and Renault have reached a mutual and amicable agreement that will see the French car manufacturer continue to supply the team with engines for the 2016 Formula One season, and this new agreement does not cover any marketing activity for the Renault-Nissan Alliance.”
Infiniti first joined Red Bull in its second World Championship season in 2011, becoming title sponsor two years later.
“We would like to say a big thank you to Infiniti for their contribution to the team since they joined us as a commercial partner in 2011,” said Christian Horner. “They became the title sponsor of the team in 2013 where Infiniti enjoyed greater visibility than any other manufacturer in the sport. We wish them all the best with their plans for the future.”
You seemed to have answered your own question. They'll be retaining Renault power for next season.
I'm really curious to see how well the Toro Rosso team does next year with the 2015-spec Ferrari engines. Both Verstappen and Sainz were impressive this year. If Renault doesn't get the power up on their engines, maybe Toro Rosso will finish ahead in the points in front of RBR.
I'm really curious to see how well the Toro Rosso team does next year with the 2015-spec Ferrari engines. Both Verstappen and Sainz were impressive this year. If Renault doesn't get the power up on their engines, maybe Toro Rosso will finish ahead in the points in front of RBR.
Exactly this. What an embarrassment that will be for such a formerly elite team. I believe the driver pool across both teams are fairly equal talent wise, the only thing separating them is the amount of experience they have. I think Max and Carlos would have finished every bit as high as Daniel and Danii if they were to have switched cars. Maybe even higher. Verstappen surprised the hell out of me and I don't mind admitting that I was dead wrong when I assumed (like most people who had no clue) that he was a rich kid who got the ride based on his daddy instead of his driving skill. The kid is good. Really good. Imagine how good he'll be now that he's actually getting seat time and has run on all the tracks now.
RBR will be going to a new supplier after 2016. I'd love to see a new supplier that doesn't run a factory team get in the mix. Kind of like Honda did for McLaren, only with good engines.
This season I enjoyed watching Max and Carlos take it to everyone, it was a lot of fun to watch and I rooted for them every race even though I wanted Vettel to win for Ferrari. But what really struck me was the bitterness RBR showed during tough times right from the beginning how poorly their PR managed the whole issue with underpowered engines. They basically sold out their engine supplier that won them all the glory in the past, it was very disappointing and quite frankly pathetic to watch. Not even my beloved Ferrari complained that much when they were in a downward spiral.
This season I enjoyed watching Max and Carlos take it to everyone, it was a lot of fun to watch and I rooted for them every race even though I wanted Vettel to win for Ferrari. But what really struck me was the bitterness RBR showed during tough times right from the beginning how poorly their PR managed the whole issue with underpowered engines. They basically sold out their engine supplier that won them all the glory in the past, it was very disappointing and quite frankly pathetic to watch. Not even my beloved Ferrari complained that much when they were in a downward spiral.
Ferrari didn't complain (publicly) as much becasue they are the ones that were building their own crappy engines! Who could they blame? But it's pretty clear that they threw internal hissy fits and looked for someone to blame for the car being garbage for several years. Just ask Stefano. Fernando didn't leave becasue he wanted to drive for McLaren again in a crappy car. He wanted out of that circus.
Everyone know hat RBRs issues were caused mostly by Renault, they didn't have to sell anyone out. The car was slow. And unreliable. It and never got significantly better. Renault did nothing about the problem when RBR begged, pleaded, and demanded that they do better. The only reason they're dealing with those clowns is becasue there's no other choice. The only reason they're even fielding a team next year is becasue Bernie will sue them for a zillion dollars if they don't race.
I have to agree with BB here. Every engine supplier went through the same difficulties building these new turbo engines and it's inexplicable for Renault to be so far off the pace of some other teams, especially given their reliability and huge success from 2010-2013. If I were Horner, maybe I'd be a little bitter too.
On a side note, I had no idea that the TAG from TAG Heuer built turbo F1 engines in the 80s. Thought it was just a watch company.
I have to agree with BB here. Every engine supplier went through the same difficulties building these new turbo engines and it's inexplicable for Renault to be so far off the pace of some other teams, especially given their reliability and huge success from 2010-2013. If I were Horner, maybe I'd be a little bitter too.
On a side note, I had no idea that the TAG from TAG Heuer built turbo F1 engines in the 80s. Thought it was just a watch company.
Tag isn't building anything. They don't build engines. It's just a marketing partnership. It could have been Coca-Cola or Microsoft or any other company wanting to pay millions to get their name out there to people who watch F1.
They were a sponsor of McLaren for the last 30 years and are jumping ship to RBR.
The TAG turbo engines from the 80's were actually rebadged Porsche engines. Just like the turbo Chevy V6 engines for the current IndyCar seies are actually built by Illmor in the UK.
