Red Bull Racing chose against new alternator in Austin

  • Published on 23 Nov 2012 15:10
  • comments 0
  • By: Rob Veenstra
Red Bull chose not to use a new specification of alternator last weekend in Austin, it has emerged. Engine supplier Renault's Magneti Marelli units have been troublesome in 2012, and Red Bull team figures were scathing last weekend when Mark Webber had to retire from the US grand prix.

At the Circuit of the Americas, designer Adrian Newey referred to the alternator as a "ticking time bomb". "It has been on the Renault engine since about 2005 and it has been failing since 2005 as well," he said.

But as far as Renault is concerned, the solution for the crucial season finale in Brazil this weekend was simple. "We go for the new spec," said the French marque's F1 track boss Remi Taffin. "It has passed all the tests."

Indeed, it had already passed those tests prior to Austin, when other Renault-powered teams on the grid began to use the new, improved alternator. But why didn't Red Bull choose to fit the new units in Austin?

"Because they are human beings and at some point as humans they have some feelings," Taffin is quoted by Australia's Sydney Morning Herald. "Sometimes you go into a shop and there are two different things and your head says you should buy this one but your heart says you should buy the other one," he explained. (GMM)

Order your Red Bull Racing merchandise here!

Replies (0)

Login to reply

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

Local time 08:06

BEGrand Prix of Belgium

Local time 08:06

World Championship standings 2025

Show full world champion standings

Test calendar

See full test schedule

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2025

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
14 - Mar 16
Australia
21 - Mar 23
China
4 - Apr 6
Japan
11 - Apr 13
Bahrain
18 - Apr 20
Saudi Arabia
2 - May 4
United States of America
16 - May 18
Italy
23 - May 25
Monaco
30 - Jun 1
Spain
13 - Jun 15
Canada
27 - Jun 29
Austria
4 - Jul 6
United Kingdom
25 - Jul 27
Belgium
1 - Aug 3
Hungary
29 - Aug 31
Netherlands
5 - Sep 7
Italy
19 - Sep 21
Azerbaijan
3 - Oct 5
Singapore
17 - Oct 19
United States of America
24 - Oct 26
Mexico
7 - Nov 9
Brazil
21 - Nov 23
United States of America
28 - Nov 30
Qatar
5 - Dec 7
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2025

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
14 - Mar 16
Australia Albert Park
21 - Mar 23
4 - Apr 6
11 - Apr 13
18 - Apr 20
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
2 - May 4
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
16 - May 18
23 - May 25
Monaco Monte Carlo
30 - Jun 1
13 - Jun 15
27 - Jun 29
Austria Red Bull Ring
4 - Jul 6
United Kingdom Silverstone
25 - Jul 27
1 - Aug 3
Hungary Hungaroring
29 - Aug 31
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
5 - Sep 7
Italy Monza
19 - Sep 21
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
3 - Oct 5
17 - Oct 19
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
24 - Oct 26
7 - Nov 9
Brazil Interlagos
21 - Nov 23
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
28 - Nov 30
5 - Dec 7
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar