Red Bull are hoping Renault’s revamped engine will provide the power to compete champions Mercedes in a new-look Formula One this season.
“It’s a brand new engine this year, a modification of philosophy,” team principal Christian Horner stated in a pre-season interview carried out by the group. “They (Renault) have had a big winter.
“We’re hoping for a step up in performance and if that’s provided then ideally we can be a challenger group this year and give the Mercedes and Ferraris a tough time.”
Red Bull’s Renault engines, branded as Tag-Heuer, powered the group to 2 victories last season with Dutch teen Max Verstappen and Australian Daniel Ricciardo.
They were the only motorists apart from Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton and now-retired world champ Nico Rosberg to win races last year.
The rules have been reworded this year, with automobiles expected to lap significantly faster on larger tires.
Just like any modification to the status quo, Horner saw an advancement battle extending from the start of the season in Australia on March 26 all, until Abu Dhabi on November 26.
“What excites us most about 2017 is the chances that arise from these new regulations. It’s going to be remarkable to see who’s got it ideal and who’s got it incorrect,” stated the Briton, whose group were runners-up in 2016.
“You’ll see big increments early on because the policies are quite immature. I believe there is going to be low-hanging fruit early on to make significant actions.
“That’s going to push every department in the entire team to attempt and outwit, out-smart, out-develop and out-produce our competitors. That’s going to be an excellent challenge in F1 this year.
Horner said previous champs Red Bull were on schedule, proceeding like a swan while paddling anxiously beneath the surface.
