Official: Red Bull – Renault: it’s over!

It was far from being a smooth ride. Renault and Red Bull experienced everything during a collaboration that spanned twelve seasons. The two partners enjoyed the greatest joys, with four Drivers’ and Constructors’ World Championship titles.

But when the new hybrid regulations appeared, the engine manufacturer from Viry-Chatillon lost its edge, and the Milton Keynes team no longer experienced the successes it was accustomed to. Instead of weathering the storm and standing by their engine supplier, Christian Horner and Helmut Marko regularly added fuel to the fire, not hesitating to publicly criticize Renault.

A first step was taken in 2016 when it was decided that the engine used by the team would no longer be called Renault but Tag Heuer. The engine manufacturer could hardly activate its partnership anymore, not officially reaping the laurels when a Red Bull driver reached the top step of the podium.

The situation further deteriorated when Aston Martin became the title sponsor of the team. This resulted in the company cars for the drivers now being vehicles from the British manufacturer.

The breaking point has therefore arrived and Red Bull has made official its move to Honda, starting next season. Christian Horner commented: “We have always made our decisions dispassionately with one criterion in mind: do we believe this decision will allow us to compete at the highest level? After careful evaluation, we are certain that this partnership with Honda is the best direction for the team.”

For Honda, it is a sweet revenge after the three grueling years with McLaren, where the team did not hesitate to show its dissatisfaction with the chronic unreliability of its power unit. A way out was found last year with the switch to Toro Rosso.

The progress made, particularly with the developments during the Canadian Grand Prix, has convinced Red Bull to join its sister team, which will allow them to renew synergies established when both structures used the Renault engine.

But the blow is harsh for Renault, with timing that couldn’t be worse. Indeed, Red Bull took care to make its announcement only a few days before the French Grand Prix, the engine manufacturer’s home race. If they had wanted to somewhat preserve their future ex-partner, they would have waited another week, until the race in Austria, which takes place on the circuit that bears their name.

Now Daniel Ricciardo is clear about the equipment he might benefit from if he stays with Red Bull at the end of the season. This should therefore facilitate his decision-making process.

With the participation of www.racingbusiness.fr