Marko expects little from Renault works team

  • Published on 15 Jan 2016 12:05
  • comments 1
  • By: Rob Veenstra

Renault would be wiser to direct the bulk of its effort into Red Bull. That is the view of Dr Helmut Marko, just as the French carmaker turns a sharp corner with the direction of its F1 programme. In recent years, Red Bull has been considered the de-facto 'works' Renault team, but for 2016 the manufacturer has bought Lotus and will supply only 'Tag-Heuer'-branded power units to the energy drink outfit.

But Marko told the German-language motorsport-magazin.com: "When I consider the current Lotus team, which is now the Renault factory team, then if they (Renault) were in their right mind they would put everything on us." The outspoken Red Bull official said he expects little from the Enstone team in 2016, especially "with that team and with those drivers".

He is referring to Pastor Maldonado and Jolyon Palmer, although there is speculation Maldonado could be replaced by the former McLaren junior Kevin Magnussen. France's L'Equipe reports that Renault is looking to immediately hire more than thirty new staff in all areas at Enstone ahead of the 2016 season. But Marko says that, for Red Bull at least, little is changing. "Renault has its own team but we were always a paying customer," he insisted.

And he said even though Red Bull is no longer Renault's premier team, it has "contractually secured" the promise that Red Bull will always be up-to-date with the latest engine developments. In the meantime, the junior outfit Toro Rosso has switched to 2015-spec Ferrari power.

"If we start with the existing power figures," said Marko, "then Toro Rosso has an advantage of about five to six tenths per lap. But they have the drawback that they cannot have the current (Ferrari) engine, and with no development. If there is the status quo from last year, then Toro Rosso for sure will be ahead of us at the first race. Although this is not pleasant, it is not a problem," Marko said.

"We are a family and the main team, Red Bull Racing, must just try harder. But I'm sure that with engine development we will at least come to the level of the (2015) Ferrari engines during the season," he added. (GMM)

Replies (1)

Login to reply
  • Im not sure Red Bull will be competitive this year either. They dragged out so long on their PU-deal that they have little time to perfect their chassis, and if Ilmor is to be believed this year's Renault PU might not be much better than this year's in terms of power. So Im a bit unsure if Im willing to bet on another 4th place for RB this year, they could very well lose one or more places in the constructor's championship.

    • + 0
    • Jan 15 2016 - 14:11

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

BEGrand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

World Championship standings 2024

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 - 2024

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
29 - Mar 2
Bahrain
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia
22 - Mar 24
Australia
5 - Apr 7
Japan
19 - Apr 21
China
3 - May 5
United States of America
17 - May 19
Italy
24 - May 26
Monaco
7 - Jun 9
Canada
21 - Jun 23
Spain
28 - Jun 30
Austria
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom
19 - Jul 21
Hungary
26 - Jul 28
Belgium
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands
30 - Sep 1
Italy
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan
20 - Sep 22
Singapore
18 - Oct 20
United States of America
25 - Oct 27
Mexico
1 - Nov 3
Brazil
22 - Nov 24
United States of America
29 - Dec 1
Qatar
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
29 - Mar 2
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
22 - Mar 24
Australia Albert Park
5 - Apr 7
19 - Apr 21
3 - May 5
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
17 - May 19
24 - May 26
Monaco Monte Carlo
7 - Jun 9
21 - Jun 23
28 - Jun 30
Austria Red Bull Ring
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom Silverstone
19 - Jul 21
Hungary Hungaroring
26 - Jul 28
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
30 - Sep 1
Italy Monza
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
20 - Sep 22
18 - Oct 20
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
25 - Oct 27
1 - Nov 3
Brazil Interlagos
22 - Nov 24
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
29 - Dec 1
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Driver profile

  • Team Renault
  • Points 27
  • Podiums 0
  • Grand Prix 19
  • Country VE
  • Date of b. Mar 9 1985 (39)
  • Place of b. Maracay, Aragua, VE
  • Weight 68 kg
  • Length 1.73 m
Show full profile

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar