Helmut Marko: "Renault forced early deal with Honda"
- Published on 20 Jun 2018 10:01
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- By: Danny Sosef
Dr Helmut Marko says Renault forced Red Bull into making an early call about its 2019 engine supplier. Red Bull wanted another race to assess existing supplier Renault's new specification of power unit against Honda's.
Instead, the announcement was made slightly unexpectedly on Tuesday. "Actually we wanted to announce the decision after France," Marko, Red Bull's motor racing consultant, told Auto Bild.
"But Renault set an ultimatum that ended on Sunday. We had no choice."
Marko, though, said Red Bull was already convinced that Honda is the right choice, particularly after the progress made by the junior team Toro Rosso.
"The new update, which could not be properly used in Canada due to unfortunate circumstances, brought three tenths of laptime," he said.
"So the deal with Honda is extremely positive for us in every way. Sport, technical and financial," added Marko.
The Red Bull-Honda contract is set to run for two years, amid rumours Porsche might enter F1 under the new engine regulations for 2021.
Team boss Christian Horner says the decision to switch to Honda was made for sporting reasons, but also clear is that the Japanese marque will be a 'works' partner.
He said Red Bull got enough information in Montreal to make the call.
"Based on Montreal, the decision for us was unambiguous and it's the right time," said Horner.
"As for expectations, we want to further reduce the gap to the others. Honda has the infrastructure and the resources to help us with that," he added.
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Replies (15)
Login to replyFreguz
Posts: 160
"We had no choice" ? Really?
Hombibi
Posts: 137
Really what actually?
boudy
Posts: 1,168
I read it as "No choice" to announce an decision. Not the actual decision itself.
The only negative at the moment is actual PU itself otherwise it's an incredible deal. I wonder how much if anything Redbull and Toro Rosso have to pay for their engines. Redbull have gone from paying for their engines to getting an supply free of charge.
The deal won't be like McLaren had but looks to be better from a perspective that they are supplying two teams. Their development will now even increase considering that the main team will be using those engines.
ajpennypacker
Posts: 2,475
"Renault forced early deal"
"Based on Montreal, the decision for us was unambiguous and it's the right time,"
"So the deal with Honda is extremely positive for us in every way. Sport, technical and financial,"
Yeah...totally clear. As in "we didn't want to switch, but now that we did, this was the perfect financial and performance decision"
Sometimes Helmut reminds me a bit of Donald Trump. I'll leave it at that :)
mpm001
Posts: 20
Macro expects everything on a silver platter. I wouldn't lend the guy even 5 dollars if he needed it. You'd never see the money again.
BENNY DONKER
Posts: 1,976
Who is Macro?
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
I think he is meaning Moaning Marco.
mcbhargav
Posts: 1,332
If i am Renault, wouldn't have extended the timeline in 2018, and would have ousted them in 2017 for the poor partnership.
BENNY DONKER
Posts: 1,976
So glad you are not Renault.
Hombibi
Posts: 137
Then you probably think this poor partnership is all Red Bull’s fault. But think, what are the chances to that..
RacetoWin
Posts: 95
I'm sure RedBull would've wanted to wait until the end of season so they don't get treated like Torro Rooso last season, if Renault does the same thing to redbull this year I hope they get fined.
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
They wont most likely, because technically it isnt illegal as far as I know.
mbmwe36
Posts: 533
They wanted to announce it at their home grand prix. Realistically the decision was probably made a good while back.
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
Yes, I think so too. 't was probably only technicalities left at this stage, and Renault forced their hand.
boudy
Posts: 1,168
When will be the next time that a Renault engine will win a race in F1 let alone win the championship? Without Redbull it won't be that soon.