user icon
icon

Renault 'party mode' disappoints drivers

link-icon
<< Return to the news list
Renault 'party mode' disappoints drivers

Renault drivers say they could barely feel the effect of the new qualifying 'party mode' in Austria.

The French supplier has lagged behind Mercedes and Ferrari in terms of giving its drivers a special qualifying engine mode with significantly more power.

But the Renault 'party mode' was finally added in Austria.

"I didn't feel much," admitted Red Bull's Max Verstappen.

"I think there was a small increase in power, but I'm not sure it is fully optimised yet. I think it has improved a little, but it was hard to feel," he added.

According to AS newspaper, team boss Christian Horner agrees: "I think it was more an appetiser than a party."

Even the works Renault drivers were not impressed.

"I think something more important has to happen to make it noticeable," said Nico Hulkenberg.

"I don't know what they've told you about what we have, but I can tell you that it wasn't shocking."

And McLaren's Fernando Alonso said: "We trust that it will do more, but it is difficult to make a direct comparison between the previous map and this one."

Olfacius

Posts: 31

...and the smoke machine was sensational!

  • 3
  • Jul 4 2018 - 13:14
F1 News Max Verstappen Fernando Alonso Renault Ferrari Mercedes McLaren

Replies (7)

Login to reply
  • calle.itw

    Posts: 8,527

    Dont be rude to old man Renault. His parties may be a bit dull, and the choice of music isnt optimal, but he tried his best, and a party is a party.

    • + 1
    • Jul 4 2018 - 09:46
  • Olfacius

    Posts: 31

    ...and the smoke machine was sensational!

    • + 3
    • Jul 4 2018 - 13:14
    • calle.itw

      Posts: 8,527

      And he even had some pyrotechnics! :D

      • + 0
      • Jul 4 2018 - 17:52
  • Exqiu

    Posts: 14

    It’s more like a “baby shower” mode :D

    • + 2
    • Jul 4 2018 - 16:18
    • calle.itw

      Posts: 8,527

      Say that to Abiteboul with a straight face and Im sure he'd be delighted! XD

      • + 0
      • Jul 4 2018 - 17:52
  • RogerF1

    Posts: 501

    Maybe the party was ‘fancy dress’ and it was only masquerading as an improvement. Possibly an early Halloween and it was trick or treat.

    • + 0
    • Jul 5 2018 - 00:12
    • calle.itw

      Posts: 8,527

      A fancy dress cocktail party with fire and smoke? Im in for that!

      • + 0
      • Jul 5 2018 - 09:31

AZ Azerbaijan Grand Prix

Local time 

AZAzerbaijan Grand Prix

Local time 

More news

Test calendar

Circuit de Catalunya - Winter testing

Bahrain International Circuit - Winter testing

Bahrain International Circuit - Winter testing

See full test schedule

World Championship standings 2026

Pos
Team
Points
1
Mercedes
135
2
Ferrari
90
3
McLaren
46
4
Haas F1
18
5
Red Bull Racing
16
6
Alpine F1
16
7
Racing Bulls
14
8
Audi
2
9
Williams
2
Show full world champion standings

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2026

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Spain
-
Bahrain
-
Bahrain
6 - Mar 8
Australia
Albert Park
13 - Mar 15
China
Shanghai International Circuit
27 - Mar 29
Japan
Circuit Suzuka
10 - Apr 12
Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
17 - Apr 19
Saudi Arabia
Jeddah Street Circuit
1 - May 3
United States of America
Miami International Autodrome
22 - May 24
Canada
Gilles Villeneuve
5 - Jun 7
Monaco
Monte Carlo
12 - Jun 14
Spain
Circuit de Catalunya
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2026

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
-
Spain Circuit de Catalunya
-
Bahrain Bahrain International Circuit
-
Bahrain Bahrain International Circuit
6 - Mar 8
Australia Albert Park
13 - Mar 15
China Shanghai International Circuit
27 - Mar 29
Japan Circuit Suzuka
10 - Apr 12
Bahrain Bahrain International Circuit
17 - Apr 19
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
1 - May 3
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
22 - May 24
Canada Gilles Villeneuve
5 - Jun 7
Monaco Monte Carlo
12 - Jun 14
Spain Circuit de Catalunya
See full schedule

Driver profile

NL Max Verstappen 33
Max Verstappen
  • Team Red Bull Racing
  • Points 3,457
  • Podiums 127
  • Grand Prix 236
  • Country NL
  • Date of b. Sep 30 1997 (28)
  • Place of b. Hasselt (Belgie), NL
  • Weight 70 kg
  • Length 1.8 m
Show full profile

Team profile

Renault
Renault
Show full profile
show sidebar