The Red Bull Racing–Renault partnership could continue into 2017 should they make the gains necessary to be competitive, according to Red Bull motorsport advisor Helmut Marko.
Red Bull agreed a new one-year with Renault to supply engines in 2016, meaning ten years of partnership between the two parties, with the engines being given Tag-Heuer branding as part of their sponsorship with the luxury watchmakers, with the engines having the input of engine guru Mario Illien.
Marko revealed that Red Bull will receive power units at the same specification to that the Renault works team will have, and although the plan is to use the alternative engine in 2017 should it come into fruition, remaining with Renault could also be a solution to Red Bull’s engine future.
“We continue to hope for the alternative engine from 2017,” said Marko to Red Bull-owned website Speedweek. “The other option would be that Renault develops so well during the 2016 season that we can consider to continue working with them.
“We will have Renault power units at the same level as the factory team. Mario Illien will co-operate with his Ilmor company as a consultant with Renault to help development. He does it on behalf of Renault in Viry-Chatillon.
“The concepts presented by Renault look good. Now they need to be implemented and respected in practice what they promise in theory. The question is how quickly that will be possible.”