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Christian Horner says that credit is due for Renault following Red Bull's success in Mexico. The energy drink squad secured its first front-row lockout in the turbo hybrid era on Saturday, before Max Verstappen came home to win the Grand Prix.
Red Bull and Renault will part ways at the end of the year following seasons of disappointment. Red Bull has continually blamed Renault's engine as the reason it is unable to consistently fight against championship contenders Mercedes and Ferrari.
Red Bull took engine penalties at previous events in preparation for Mexico, which aided its cause along with the high altitudes of Mexico City. With just two races remaining between the long-standing partnership, Horner says credit is due for the French manufacturer.
“Credit where credit is due,” Horner reflected. “Renault have provided us with an engine this weekend in these conditions that is competitive with our opponents. We went head to head [with Red Bull’s rivals], locked out the front row, pole position, second position, front row of the grid, and won the Grand Prix in a dominant fashion. Theoretically, we should have had a one-two too.
“The altitude of this circuit obviously does constrain some of our rivals, and it puts Renault into a window where they are competitive. Which is why we put an awful lot of focus into this race, taking the penalties to get another B spec into the pool to have for this weekend.”
Next year, Red Bull will switch to Honda power who has been providing engines for Red Bulls junior squad Toro Rosso in 2018. The partnership has been reasonably successful, with Toro Rosso recording eight top ten finishes this year.
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C. Sainz jr
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Replies (3)
Login to replycalle.itw
Posts: 8,527
Yes, its interesting how good the Renaults were in Mexico. I wonder if it will get better or worse for next year, when they are to revise their engine design.
ajpennypacker
Posts: 2,475
I am even more amazed that Horner had something good to say about Renault
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
In his weasly defense, he hasnt just been slagging them off. This is actually not the first or second time he has complimented them this season. Though sadly Horner, Marko and the lot is one of the reasons for why, despite the fact that I will cheer for Red Bull from next year and on, and despite Red Bull being a team with many characteristics I can appreciate, RB will probably never be a team I can love as I used to with McLaren.