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Toro Rosso is returning to Renault power for 2017, it emerged ahead of Sunday's Monaco Grand Prix. Earlier in Monaco, technical boss James Key had said the Faenza team wanted to improve its engine situation for 2017, as the year-old Ferrari units "are not developing".
"It would be nice to be current and have a developing unit," he added.
So Red Bull announced on Sunday not only that the premier team's Tag-Heuer branded deal has been extended for 2017 and 2018, but that Toro Rosso is switching camps too.
"After the reconstruction that Renault has undertaken, clear progress has been made which has made it logical to continue," said Red Bull team boss Christian Horner.
In a statement, Red Bull said the deal would involve the teams being able to "badge the power units as they wish".
Grand Prix of Belgium
G. Zhou
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Replies (2)
Login to replycalle.itw
Posts: 8,527
Sounds like a somewhat wise move. Didnt sound like Ferrari wanted to give them 2017 spec units anyway, so I doubt they'd gain much from sticking with them. Though I think they should let them be badged as Renault units, it would be a suitable thing to do since RB trashtalked them so much last year, as a sign of good will. Its just symbolic anyway, so it wont matter in terms of performance or anything.
mclarenfan1968
Posts: 1,027
Thing is how long before RBR starts threatening to leave the sport the moment the PU lags behind the top leaders? Right now they are OK and willing to continue just because their aero dept has over performed to compensate. Note the deal is still to brand them engines as Tag Heuer, Renault can't possibly be happy to lose their brand exposure when ever RBR does well. Every company is in F1 to boost brand prestige through success. Now Renault doesn't get that with RBR. Shows you just how much RBR really values the continuation of their relationship.