Red Bull to Remain with Renault Engines for 2015, Marko Confirms
Dr Helmut Marko says Red Bull will continue with Renault power units in the 2015 Formula One season, despite ongoing speculation about alternative engine plans.
Red Bull will continue to use Renault engines in the 2015 Formula One season, according to Dr Helmut Marko. The confirmation comes after weeks of speculation about the world champion team’s future engine supply, as dissatisfaction with Renault’s performance persisted through the first half of 2014.
Marko addressed the rumours at the Austrian Grand Prix, where Red Bull was under pressure to clarify its position. He stated that Red Bull would “definitely” continue with Renault in 2015, despite acknowledging that the team has considered other options, including the possibility of developing its own engine. Marko pointed to the technical expertise available in Austria, mentioning companies such as Pankl and AVL, but ultimately ruled out a split for the coming season.
The team’s frustration stems from Renault’s difficulties with its new V6 turbo hybrid, which has lagged behind the Mercedes unit in both power and reliability. The 2014 season saw Red Bull and sister team Toro Rosso struggle to match the pace of Mercedes-powered rivals, leading to public calls for improvement and suggestions that the partnership was under review. For more on the background to Red Bull’s deliberations, seeRed Bull to Review Renault F1 Engine Deal After Canada.
Renault’s response and 2015 development
Renault is not standing still. At the Austrian round, the French manufacturer introduced a new fuel blend from partner Total, which was said to deliver a modest increase in power. Remi Taffin, Renault’s head of track operations, explained that while the 2014 engine specification was largely frozen by homologation rules, the company had more freedom to make changes for 2015. Taffin said Renault was aware of the areas needing improvement and was already working towards addressing them for the next season.
- Renault’s 2014 V6 turbo hybrid faced reliability and performance issues.
- Total supplied a new fuel for the Austrian GP, offering a small power boost.
- 2014 engine changes are restricted by homologation, but 2015 rules allow more updates.
Despite the public speculation, Red Bull’s decision to stay with Renault for 2015 provides stability for both teams as they look to close the gap to Mercedes. Marko’s comments do not rule out future changes, but for now, Red Bull’s focus remains on maximising the current partnership while Renault prepares its technical response for the next season.
Alternative engine options remain on the table for the future
Marko’s remarks indicate that Red Bull has not abandoned the idea of alternative power units in the longer term. He said the team is keeping all options open, including in-house development, but any such move would not happen before 2016 at the earliest. For now, the Red Bull-Renault partnership continues, with both parties under pressure to deliver a more competitive package for the 2015 Formula One season.
